A few years ago, New York State passed a largely unenforced ban on using cell phones while driving.

Apparently, however, at least one (most likely) fine-hungry politician wants to see the law enforced. The Associated Press is reporting that:

A Brooklyn state assemblyman wants a special hotline to report drivers who are talking on hand-held cell phones. Assemblyman Feliz Ortiz says the hotline would connect to the State Department of Motor Vehicles. The caller would report the time, date, location and license plate number of the car being driven by the talker.

Think about this for more than two seconds and it becomes obvious that this plan is flawed. The only people who are going see a person using a cell phone while driving would be other drivers. And how are those other drivers going to call the hotline unless they use their own cell phones while driving?

On the other hand, maybe this is part of the plan. Maybe everyone who calls the hotline to report a "driving while phoning" offense will also be prosecuted, resulting in two fines for the price of one?

This is New York, after all. When it comes to government spending and taxes anything is possible.