Stunned by cop’s death, Arizona goes hands free

Inspired by tragedy yet slow to overcome resistance, Arizona has adopted a handheld cell phone ban. A hands-free measure cleared the Legislature on April 18 and was signed into law by the governor April 22. Arizona lawmakers were so opposed to electronic distracted driving regulation that the state does not currently have a texting & driving law. That dynamic changed in January, following the death of a police officer in a crash caused by a driver who admitted to texting. Dozens of Arizona's cities and counties have local laws against electronics use while behind the wheel, and those … [Read more...]

Minnesota hands free via new cell phone law

Minnesota has become the 17th state to ban the use of handheld cell phones. The state's hands-free law -- considered one of the legislative session's top achievements -- goes into effect Aug. 1. Motorists will need to use hands-free technology in order to operate their smartphones. Limited hands-free operation is permitted for GPS and the playing of music. Fines for holding a cell phone under the measure pushed through by State Rep. Frank Hornstein will range from $50 (first offense) to $275. Gov. Tim Walz offered families of those lost to distracted drivers "the deepest apologies … [Read more...]

Manitoba seizing licenses of distracted drivers

In Manitoba, it's now hands on the phone, hand over the driver's license. Drivers distracted by their handheld electronics will see a $672 fine. At least as likely to grab their attention is the roadside confiscation of licenses. The suspensions will last for three days and offenders will have to pay a $50 fee to reinstate their licenses. Repeat offenders (within a decade) will suffer a seven-day license loss. Police will take away the offender’s license on the spot and issue a short-term permit to allow for driving home. The changes went into effect Nov. 1. Offenders in the … [Read more...]

Four states turn up heat on distracted drivers

The halfway point of 2018 brings new distracted driving restrictions to a quartet of states. The change is most significant in Georgia, which gets its first handheld cell phone ban. The new laws and penalties all took effect July 1. In Georgia, drivers must employ hands-free devices if they want to continue using smartphones behind the wheel. A long period of study by lawmakers resulted in a statute that focuses on barring the holding or touching of wireless communications devices. Also newly prohibited are recording videos, and watching videos. Georgia already has a texting & driving law. … [Read more...]

Oregon’s new distracted driving law in force

A comprehensive rewrite of Oregon's distracted driving law is now in effect. Targeting various ambiguities in the old law, the new rules focus on the holding of "mobile electronic devices" such as smartphones. "That's the key," says House Bill 2597 author Rep. Andy Olson. “The law doesn’t say you can't use (cell phones and smartphones), you just can’t have them in your hand." The plan also upgrades first-time infractions from Class C to Class B ($260 first offense). Two-time violators are looking at a $435 penalty. Third or subsequent convictions within a decade bring a minimum … [Read more...]