Verizon Backs Ban

Verizon Communications, the largest U.S. cellular phone provider, said it broke with the industry and agreed to support laws that would ban hand-held cell phone use while driving, a practice blamed for deadly accidents. The New York-based company’s apparent change of heart came as a committee of Chicago aldermen postponed a vote on a ban. The small town of Brooklyn, Ohio, was the first American municipality to make it a traffic violation to drive with a cell phone glued to one’s ear--except in emergencies. A few other towns have passed similar measures, some of which were struck down in court. The industry has been largely opposed to bans on cell phone use while driving, although it has promoted safety campaigns. Verizon spokeswoman Annette Jacobs said the company, which has more than 25 million wireless customers, would support repeal of an Illinois law governing earphones and then lobby for a statewide ban on anything but hands-free cell-phone use by drivers.