Evanston officials are considering a ban on all cellphone use by drivers — even with a hands-free unit — that, if passed, would be among the toughest restrictions anywhere in the nation, according to safety experts.

A city committee this week recommended passage of an ordinance that would outlaw the use of all portable and on-board communications devices while driving. The move drew praise from safety advocates, who say studies are inconclusive about the safety of hands-free devices. The Evanston City Council will consider the ban, which may include exemptions for emergency and other uses, later this month.

Two years ago Evanston mandated the use of hands-free devices for drivers who use a cellphone. Across the Chicago area, 76 municipalities have enacted cellphone ordinances, but most have simply adopted the current state law into their local codes. Illinois prohibits drivers age 18 or younger from talking while driving and bars all drivers from talking on phones without hands-free devices in school zones or areas where road construction or maintenance work is being performed.

But experts contacted by the Tribune said they know of no other community that has a law as restrictive as the one being considered in Evanston. In December, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that all 50 states and the District of Columbia ban the non-emergency use of portable electronic devices by all drivers. Some Evanston aldermen question whether the stronger law is necessary or enforceable.

"I guess my biggest concern comes to enforcement," said Ald. Mark Tendam, 6th. "What is the likelihood of enforcing something that is so discreet as a very smart phone that automatically connects to Bluetooth? You really don't know if someone is talking to themselves or singing with the radio."

Evanston authorities issued about 3,000 tickets, and collected almost $125,000 in fines, since the hands-free mandate took effect in 2010, city staff told committee members.

While enforcement of a stronger law could prove difficult, police say they are up for the challenge.

"Typically the people when they're on their cellphones have that tunnel vision," said Sgt. Thomas Moore, head of the traffic department for Evanston police. "They don't even see us riding up on the motorcycles."

Ald. Judy Fiske, 1st, who cast the sole dissenting vote against recommending the ordinance, questioned whether a hands-free phone conversation is any more distracting than conversations with passengers, or driving with children in the back seat.

Experts say that several studies of cellphone use on the road have concluded that distraction comes from having a phone conversation, regardless of whether a driver's hands are involved.

"Hands-free is not risk-free," said David Teater, senior director of transportation strategic initiatives at the National Safety Council.

Meanwhile, state Rep.John D'Amico, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation that would create a statewide ban on the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving, but it would still allow hands-free devices. This week, D'Amico said he was skeptical of Evanston's proposal.

While he understands the desire to institute a total ban, D'Amico said, focusing on hand-held devices removes the guesswork from police enforcement.

"The officers can see you doing it, just like they can see you roll through a stop sign or drive erratically, and they can pull you over for it," he said.

jbullington@tribune.com

mwalberg@tribune.com