Gov. Andrew Cuomo's state police feasted on text-messaging violations over the Thanksgiving holiday, handing out 816 tickets. "The more than 800 tickets issued in just five days further demonstrates the need for these stricter laws which focus on drivers who put others at risk by illegally using a hand-held device," the New York governor said after the ticket tally. The statewide distracted driving sweep "Operation Hang-Up" ran Nov. 23-27. State Police said about 330 of the texting tickets came as a result of that crackdown. The other ticketing came via regular enforcement of the state's texting and cell phone use laws, which yields about 1,000 tickets a month. Cuomo targeted distracted … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania texting law breakdown
November 9, 2011 by 6 Comments
Specifics of the ban on text messaging that was approved by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett on Nov. 9, 2011: Prohibits as a primary offense all drivers from using an Interactive Wireless Communication Device (IWCD) to send, read or write a text-based message. Defines an IWCD as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer or similar devices that can be used for texting, instant messaging, emailing or browsing the Internet. Defines a text-based message as a text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on an IWCD. Institutes a $50 fine for convictions under this section. Makes clear that this law supersedes … [Read more...]
3 new distracted driving laws
October 1, 2011 by 1 Comment
Motorists in Nevada, Maine and Maryland are now subject to new distracted driving regulations. Nevada's ban on text messaging and using handheld cell phones will driving officially went into effect Saturday, Oct. 1. Violators won't be punished for the next three months, though, as law officers are only issuing warnings until Jan. 1. Then it's on to fines that start at $50 and go to $250. In Maryland, legislators have completed their clean-up of the existing texting while driving law. As of Oct. 1, "reading" of text messages is illegal while driving in Maine. Previously, only the writing and sending of text messages (and email) were illegal. Also, the earlier state law allowed for texting … [Read more...]
SB 28 vetoed in California
September 7, 2011 by 1 Comment
California's governor has vetoed a plan to double fines for distracted driving violations, saying he was not interested in "ratcheting up the penalties as prescribed by this bill." The legislation was Senate Bill 28, approved by the state House and Senate, and sent to Gov. Jerry Brown on Aug. 15. The bill's author, Sen. Joe Simitian, said the veto resulted in "a lost opportunity to save more lives." Brown wrote in his veto message: "For people of ordinary means, current fines and penalty assessments should be sufficient deterrent." Under the Simitian plan, fines for using handheld cell phones or text messaging while driving would have increased to $50 (first offense) and $100. In … [Read more...]
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