Citing studies showing that cell phone-using drivers crash four times more often (the same as drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.1%, just over the drunkenness limit), the TLC voted unanimously on May 20 to prohibit medallion cabbies and livery drivers from using cellular phones while driving, effective July 1. "Quite frankly," McGrath-McKechnie told the New York Times, "we hope it's a first step toward banning cell phone use among all drivers."

While the cabbie ban had been expected, a prohibition on all driver cell-phoning would be a much bigger step. But on Tuesday, when the pedestrian activist group Right Of Way called to congratulate the TLC chief and offer support, an agency spokesman retracted the quote. The Times, however, stands by its story, and such a comment would be in character for McGrath-McKechnie, who is widely regarded as outspoken and safety-conscious.

Although the mayor's pro-motorist stances and need to conciliate suburban voters for his next campaign would be sufficient to explain the TLC's change of heart, observers also noted that Bell Atlantic Mobile, the city's biggest cellular provider, is headed by mayoral pal (and former NYC Corporation Counsel) Paul Crotty. The Times reports that Bell Atlantic is pushing to water down the new TLC rule to let cabbies use hands-free phones. Studies have found that cell phone dangers are not a matter of design, since phone stress and distraction, rather than manual fumbling, cause most of the crashes.

Pedestrian advocates were disturbed that Ms. McGrath-McKechnie's call for a universal ban was quashed. "We were delighted to think that for once, the Giuliani Administration might place public safety above pandering to private motorists," said Right Of Way member Charles Komanoff. "Dream on," he added. In a May 22 editorial, the Daily News called for banning cell phone use in all city driving.