Legislative update: A handheld cell phone law is now in effect in Missouri. The Highway Patrol cites a one-third reduction in calls to crashes linked to distracted driving. The law took effect Aug. 28, 2024, with warnings until early 2025. Senate Bill 398 from Sen. Nick Schroer set fines from $150 to $500, with enhanced punishments for school- and work-zone violations. Limited to secondary enforcement, meaning police need another reason for a stop. Signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson. MoDOT cites an increase in highway fatalities for the year, following two years of decreases. As of late … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2008
Kentucky: Distracted driving laws, legislation
December 2, 2008 by 8 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging update: State Rep. Jimmy Higdon has unveiled a hands-free measure that would apply to all drivers. Higdon, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said of his 2026 plan: "With this piece of legislation, we can reduce deaths on Kentucky highways." He called the legislative effort "winnable." Kentucky currently bans texting and driving, with fines starting at $25. That law dates back to 2010 and is considered outdated and unenforceable. In 2013, Gov. Steve Beshear used his administrative powers to toughen the state distracted driving laws after the … [Read more...]
Canadian distracted driving updates
December 1, 2008 by 39 Comments
Canada cell phone/texting overview: Distracted driving laws have been enacted in all Canadian provinces, with restrictions similar to those being adopted in the United States. These Canadian provinces have active laws against use of handheld cell phones and/or text messaging while driving -- Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland/Labrador. Newfoundland (2002) was the first province to adopt a distracted driving law, and Alberta (2011) was the last. Here's a guide to distracted driving laws in … [Read more...]
Colorado: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 1, 2008 by 17 Comments
Distracted driving news: The Colorado State Patrol cites increased enforcement of the state's hands-free cell phone law, which went into effect in mid-2024. In 2025, 456 citations were handed out, CSP says. That compares with 126 the year before. The law's author, state Sen. Chris Hansen, pointed to "widespread and irresponsible cell phone usage while driving." The Colorado State Patrol handed out 90 citations and 91 warnings under the new state distracted driving law, in its first two months of full enforcement. Colorado first outlawed texting and the use of cell phones by teen … [Read more...]
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