Latest cell/texting news: North Dakota drivers who commit offenses while distracted are subject to an additional $100 fine. The unusual and somewhat vague law -- approved by the Legislature and governor in early 2017 -- bars drivers from doing anything with their sight not directly related to operation of the vehicle. The offense, which is subject to secondary enforcement, is categorized as "failure to maintain control." The 2017 law essentially adds general distracted driving wording to the state's texting & driving statute. State Rep. Corey Mock's plan originally sought to repeal the … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2008
New Mexico: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 11, 2008 by 11 Comments
New Mexico had the most distracted drivers in the nation for the third straight year, according to federal traffic numbers. There were 195 deaths linked to distracted driving in the latest reporting year, 2021, the NHTSA reported in April 2023. New Mexico's men accounted for most of the fatalities linked to distraction. Almost half of the state's roadway fatalities were blamed on distraction. New Mexico also had the most distracted drivers in the nation during the 2-year period of 2019-2020, federal traffic safety numbers show. The state's texting & driving law outlaws typing on … [Read more...]
Iowa: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 10, 2008 by 22 Comments
Distracted driving news: The Iowa State Patrol issued more than 11,000 warnings from July 1 through Dec. 31, the first six months under the 2025 hands-free law. $100 fines began with the new year of 2026. Lawmakers approved the hands-free measure in mid-March 2025 and sent it to a supportive Gov. Kim Reynolds. Iowa heightened the enforcement of its texting & driving law in mid-2017 and soon reported sharply higher numbers of citations. Police no longer needed another reason to stop and ticket texting drivers. The revised statute also barred use of social media and general Internet … [Read more...]
New York: Cell phone laws, texting
December 9, 2008 by 23 Comments
Cell phone and texting news: State Sen. Shelley Mayer has proposed a two-year pilot program for field testing of the so-called "textalyzer" technology. The study envisioned by S2687 would be in Westchester County. The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee also has the technology under study. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the panel will report back on "the effectiveness of using this emerging technology to crack down on this reckless behavior and thoroughly evaluate its implications." Three public forums were held on the issue. The textalyzer, developed by an Israeli company, would allow police to scan … [Read more...]
Michigan vote: Yes on text, no on cell
December 5, 2008 by 1 Comment
The Michigan House voted to ban text messaging by drivers, but once again rejected a plan to restrict yakking motorists to handheld cell phones. The HB 5117 texting prohibition was approved by a strong 68-32 vote on Dec. 4. The legislation now must clear the Senate. The text-message vote specifics were not recorded due to the sponsor's request. Rep. Gino Polidori, D-Dearborn, was quoted as saying he expected his cell phone legislation HB 4982 to fail, which it did in a vote that wasn't close. "It's just a matter of time," Polidori said. "It will be back again next session. ... "Keeping … [Read more...]
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