Present Tense

Berkeley Wants CHP to Note Cell Phone Use in Car Crashes: Officers would track effects on driving

BERKELEY -- Amid growing public concern over driving while under the influence of cellular phones, the city of Berkeley wants the California Highway Patrol to mention the practice in accident reports.

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to ask state legislators to pass a law requiring the CHP to track the use of cell phones as a possible factor in crashes.

``This is an issue whose time has come,'' said Bock.

``We've all encountered brainless drivers who are engrossed in their conversations and are neglecting to give their full attention to their driving,'' she said. ``And heaven knows, many of us are guilty.''

There has been growing impatience with people who talk on cell phones in movie theaters, restaurants and cars. San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, a vocal critic of cell phones, in April called on the state to increase penalties for motorists involved in accidents while on the phone.

``A year ago, people weren't much thinking about cell phones but now the voices are getting louder about it,'' said Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean, who proposed the latest measure.

`"Perhaps the reason legislators have been unwilling to take it up is because we're so reliant on cell phones ourselves,'' said Bock.

Federal safety experts estimate that 85 percent of people who own cell phones use them at least occasionally while driving, and more than 27 percent have wireless conversations during at least half of their car trips.

While most researchers agree that driving while on a cell phone is a growing factor in car crashes, they say not enough data has been collected by police to determine the magnitude of the problem. Currently only Oklahoma and Minnesota provide a form to their officers to report cell phone use prior to an accident.

Dean said she will press local legislators to require that the issue be better studied in California.

``I personally believe that it's a dangerous thing to do,'' said Dean. ``Not so much when you're talking as when you're putting in those 10 or 11-number codes. You can't be watching the road.''

Debra Levi Holtz, "Berkeley Wants CHP to Note Cell Phone Use in Car Crashes" Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2000/07/27/MN95787.DTL

#	SENTENCE	YOUR RESPONSE
1.	"A year ago, people weren't much thinking about cell phones but now the voices are getting louder about it,'' . . .	Is "are getting" a present tense verb? yes no HINT 1:
2.	The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to ask state legislators to pass a law requiring the CHP to track the use of cell phones as a possible factor in crashes.more info	Is "requiring" a present tense verb? yes no HINT 2:
3.	While most researchers agree that driving while on a cell phone is a growing factor in car crashes, they say not enough data has been collected. # 3 more info	Is "driving" a present tense verb? yes no HINT 3:
4.	There has been growing impatience with people who talk on cell phones in movie theaters, restaurants and cars .#4 reason	Is "growing" a present tense verb? yes no HINT 4:
5.	Currently, California, Oklahoma and Minnesota provide a form to their officers to report cell phone use prior to an accident.	Is "provide" a present tense verb? yes no HINT 5:

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