New England has gone hands-free with the launch of Massachusetts' new cell phone law, which is now in effect. Gov. Charlie Baker signed the long-debated distracted driving bill into law Nov. 24. (top photo) and it began Sunday, Feb. 23. It bars motorists from holding cell phones. Violators will be pulled over but receive warnings until Tuesday, March 31. Fines are $100 for first offenders, $250 for second offenders and $500 for third offenders. Serial offenders are required to attend traffic school. And three-time violators will see their offenses reported to insurance companies, … [Read more...]
Four states turn up heat on distracted drivers
July 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
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...]
Ariz. takes a baby step with texting law
April 27, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Arizona, long one of the most resistant states to distracted driving laws, has adopted its first texting & driving law for the public. Come July 2018, teen drivers who are in the first six months of licensing will be barred from text messaging while driving. Gov. Doug Ducey, who signed the legislation April 27, said he wished the Legislature had gone further -- "banning texting while driving for all minors." There were, of course, the usual hopes for distracted driving laws in 2017 affecting adult drivers. But Arizona lawmakers have long fended off attempts to join the rest of the … [Read more...]
In Arizona, another roadblock to law
January 25, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Arizona's backers of distracted driving laws appear to be in for yet another disappointing legislative session. Hopes were raised for 2017 with the departure for Washington of distracted driving law foe Andy Biggs, longtime Senate president. But now Senate Transportation Committee chief Bob Worsley, left, appears to be filling Biggs' shoes. Worsley, a Republican, has blocked from his panel's consideration all distracted driving legislation except a plan to outlaw use of wireless communications devices by young drivers -- and only for the first six months of their licensing. Worsley, … [Read more...]
Survey: Distractions still on the rise
December 8, 2015 by 1 Comment
Drivers continue to reduce their use of handheld cell phones for talking, while text messaging is on the rise, according to a nationwide survey. The annual survey sponsored by State Farm also found year-to-year increases in usage of the Internet and, specifically, social network web sites. Among drivers 18-29, however, increases in electronic communications activity were found from 2014 to 2015 in cell phone talking, texting, GPS programming, the Internet and social media. "Younger age groups perceive many of these behaviors as less distracting and report being more likely to … [Read more...]
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