Kansas: Cell phone laws, legislation

Cell phone, texting news: Kansas has approved its first restrictions on cell phone use while driving: Drivers with permit licenses cannot use cell phones or texting devices (as of Jan. 1, 2010). Proposals in both the House and Senate would extend the text messaging ban to all drivers.

Current prohibitions:
Drivers with restricted licenses banned from using wireless communications devices\.

2010 legislation:
House Bill 2439: Would prohibit text messaging and related activities for Kansas drivers. $100 fine. (Sponsored by the Transportation Committee)

House Bill 2441 Seeks to ban text messaging and emailing by all drivers. (Appears identical to SB 351 below) (Committee on Appropriations)

Senate Bill 351: Would outlaw texting for all drivers in Kansas. (Emler/Committee on Ways and Means)

2010 legislation notes
No one spoke against HB 2439 in its Transportation Committee hearing on Jan. 19. The Highway Patrol and the Peace Officers Association both spoke in favor of the text messaging ban for all Kansas drivers.

2009 legislation
HB 2143: Would ban holders of learner’s permits from using wireless communications devices while driving (part of larger bill addressing young driver safety). Signed into law by the Kansas governor in late March. Takes effect Jan. 1, 2010.

HB 2132: Would prohibit the sending, writing or reading of text messages while driving.

Kansas cell phone/texting legislation notes:
HB 2143 (substitute), the teenage driving legislation, was approved by the Kansas Senate and House, and then signed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in late March. The cell phone ban was one of several new restrictions on young drivers in the legislation. The teen cell phone ban goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2010. This is the first move by Kansas to restrict cell phone use by drivers.

The Topeka Capital-Journal endorsed the proposed text messaging ban HB 2132, saying, “One aspect of the bill we particularly like is that it treats minors and adults equally, unlike some other attempts to regulate the use of cell phones while driving.” The proposed fine for unlawful texting would be $60.

In Kansas, cell phone-related accidents killed seven people and injured 161 in 2007, according to the state Department of Transportation.

A Kansas University professor reports that 72 percent of the 321 KU students surveyed said they texted while driving.

Lawrence, Kan., received national attention in 2006 for a proposed ban on use of cell phones by drivers. The plan died in committee.

Recent cell phone/texting legislation
HB 2706: Would have required that “no person while driving a motor vehicle shall be so distracted as to interfere with the safe operation of such motor vehicle. Activities include using personal communication technologies.” Last seen in committee.

HB 2705: Would have prohibited text messaging while driving. Last seen in committee.

HB 2118 would have required hands-free devices for drivers (2007). Died in committee in May 2008.