The following editorial appeared in the Olympian (Olympia, Wash.). It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Spokesman-Review’s editorial board.

Washington legislators should collect information on cell phone-related accidents before banning the use of the hand-held devices by drivers. Two different approaches to the cell phone issue are embodied in separate pieces of legislation.

Senate Bill 5160 would make it a traffic offense to talk on cellular telephones without a headset. Senate Bill 5161 requires the Washington State Patrol to track whether drivers involved in an accident were using a wireless device at the time of the mishap. The latter is the more measured and thoughtful approach.

The state should collect accident information, then use that data to determine whether cell phone use is indeed as much of a problem as it is perceived to be. It’s important that lawmakers have the facts first.

Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, has tried since 2000 to restrict cell phone use. Her colleagues have turned back each legislative attempt. Part of the reason has been that there simply isn’t sufficient statistical information on the extent of the phoning-while-driving problem in Washington state.

Are drivers using cellular telephones involved in a disproportionate number of accidents? There’s no factual base of information to answer that question.

There is little doubt that cellular telephones fill a need in society today. Parents can stay in close contact with their children. Emergencies can be reported to authorities quickly. Employees can stay in touch with their employers. Much of the communication in life today involves the use of cellular telephones.

There is, however, a dark side to the use of cell phones.

Ringing phones and loud conversations can disrupt everything from a church service to dinner at a nice restaurant.

How attentive are drivers to the world around them when they are engaged in a cell phone conversation? Are they paying more attention to the road and other motorists or to the person on the other end of the line?

How does driver distraction and inattention contribute to accidents?

To get that information, lawmakers should pass SB 5161, which modifies the Washington State Patrol accident form to make it easier to track data on phone-related collisions.

Lawmakers should compile the statistics first, then consider whether a ban on hand-held cellular telephones is warranted.