Salt Lake City bans cell phones for public workers while driving

The mayor signed an order banning city employees from using cell phones while driving on public business.

The prohibition also covers employees who possess city-owned phones while driving on personal business.

"Cell phone use, including text messaging, by motorists has become far too common, resulting in dangerous conditions on our roadways," Mayor Rocky Anderson said in an executive order signed Monday.

Violators face an unspecified punishment.

The order does not apply to police officers, firefighters, members of the City Council or council employees.

Anderson said Utah lawmakers should ban all use of cell phones while operating a vehicle. He plans to ask businesses to voluntarily adopt a policy.

"The sad reality is talking on cell phones takes lives," said Linda Mulkey, who joined Anderson at a news conference.

She said her daughter Lauren was killed in a crash that involved a driver using a phone.