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Fla. governor gets texting bill

May 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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In a first for Florida, a distracted driving bill has emerged from the Legislature. The state Senate gave final approval Thursday to a plan that would outlaw text messaging while driving in Florida. The bill, however, calls for secondary enforcement, preventing police from issuing tickets unless another offense is observed, such as weaving or missing a stop sign. It does not address cell phones. Interviewed Monday, Gov. Rick Scott dodged the direct question of whether he would sign the texting bill: "Well as a parent, and now a grandparent, you worry about people texting and driving," Scott told a Fox affiliate reporter. "So, I look forward to seeing that bill when it gets to my … [Read more...]

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Court: Hands off smartphone GPS

April 6, 2013 by 1 Comment

Use of smartphones as GPS devices long has been a gray area in distracted driving laws, but a California appellate court ruling indicates it's time to put away those map apps. The "plain language" of California's cell phone statute and its legislative history indicate any use of a wireless communications device by drivers that is not hands-free is against the law, the Appellate Division of Fresno Superior Court has ruled. The original conviction of Steven Spriggs was for driving while using a wireless phone (without a hands-free attachment). Spriggs admitted to driving while viewing his smartphone's map and directions application. The California distracted driving statute prohibits … [Read more...]

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N.J., Maryland lawmakers crack down

March 21, 2013 by 1 Comment

Legislators in New Jersey and Maryland have moved to significantly toughen their state's electronic distracted driving laws. In New Jersey, what appears to be "the toughest hands-free cell phone law in the nation" is closer to enactment as the Legislature sent a distracted driving measure to Gov. Chris Christie. In Maine, a bill that gives primary enforcement status to the current wireless communications law has advanced from the House to the Senate. The bill also hikes fines for texting & talking on handheld cell phones while driving to as much as $500. First-time distracted driving offenders in New Jersey would be looking at fines between $200 and $400 under the plan sent to Gov. Chris … [Read more...]

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Michigan enacts teen cell phone law

January 9, 2013 by 2 Comments

A ban on cell phone use by teen drivers has been signed into law by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. The toll from distracted driving "strikes at all our hearts," the governor said. "This is an important chance to step up, particularly for young drivers," he said at the public signing ceremony for "Kelsey's Law" on Jan. 8. The ban on cell phone use by teens in Michigan goes into effect in late March. It affects drivers with a restricted (level 1 or 2 graduated) license. State Sen. Howard Walker's legislation was named for Kelsey Rafaelle (pictured), a Sault Ste. Marie teenager killed in early 2010 while driving and talking on her cell phone. "We must do all we can to prevent similar tragedies … [Read more...]

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