California has a new text-messaging law to go with its recent ban on handheld cell phone use by drivers. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 28 on Sept. 24, 2008, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2009. The legislation had been in limbo during the state's budget standoff of September. "Banning electronic text messaging while driving will keep drivers' hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, making our roadways a safer place for all Californians," Schwarzenegger said. State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, added the texting law to his distracted-drivers portfolio. He also authored the … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2008
West Virginia: Cell phone laws, legislation
September 24, 2008 by 19 Comments
Cell phone, texting news: Delegate Steve Westfall modernized the state's electronic distracted driving law with a comprehensive rewrite. His HB 2218 of 2023 includes jail or prison time for causing serious injury or a death while driving distracted. The measure was signed into law in late March and took effect in June. West Virginia's law against using handheld cell phones while driving became subject to primary enforcement in 2013. The law went into effect that summer, after a year of secondary enforcement in which police needed another reason to stop a motorist observed breaking the … [Read more...]
Ohio: Cell phone laws, legislation
September 16, 2008 by 79 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging news: A hands-free law with primary enforcement is now in full effect in Ohio -- and ticketing is under way. "Beginning today, if law enforcement sees a driver distracted by their phone, that driver can now be immediately pulled over," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Oct. 5, 2023, at the end of a six-month warning period. Fines from $150 (first offense) to $500, plus points vs. the driver's license. Holding cell phone to ear for a call allowed, but not entry of a phone number. The law officially went into effect April 4. The hands-free law of 2023 originated with HB … [Read more...]
Distracted driving dangers, up close
September 9, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Cell phoning while driving is the best-known behavior categorized as distracted driving, but there are countless other dangerous things people routinely do behind the wheel. The National Safety Council's International Symposium on Distracted Driving, Oct. 14-17 in Arlington, Va., examines the problem with participants from the fields of transportation and safety, the auto business, science and government, among others. "Distracted driving contributes to hundreds of thousands of injuries and deaths each year," said Janet Froetscher, NSC's president and CEO. "People who drive while talking on … [Read more...]
South Carolina: Cell phone laws, legislation
September 9, 2008 by 11 Comments
Cell phone, texting news: Tickets and fines now await South Carolina's distracted drivers. The 180-day warning period that began Sept. 1 has ended. State Rep. Bill Taylor has been pushing for a hands-free law since at least 2017. He finally succeeded with House Bill 3276, the vehicle of choice for hands-free advocates in 2025. The plan cleared the House in mid-April 2025 and the Senate on May 1. The state texting & driving law took effect in December 2014. It applies to all drivers and comes with a $25 fine for first-time violators. The law does not affect use of cell phones for … [Read more...]
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