Distracted driving update: First-term Gov. Jim Pillen said, “I think we do have a problem” with cell phone use by drivers. "I think we have to have some serious conversations," he said in August 2023. Nebraska bans texting while driving, but limits police to secondary enforcement, meaning another reason is needed to make a traffic stop. Nineteen fatalities linked to distracted drivers in Nebraska during 2019, with almost 1,500 injuries. In 2017, at least 228 traffic fatalities were logged overall, compared with 217 the previous year. Safety officials cited distracted driving as a … [Read more...]
Archives for 2008
Software plays cell-phone nanny
October 15, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Originally published April 19, 2009 New software aims to neutralize the dangers of using mobile phones while driving, via a mechanism that prevents and controls incoming and outgoing calls. DriveAssist will be offered next year through major wireless carriers. The technology was developed by Canadian tech company Aegis Mobility in conjunction with Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide customers will receive a discount of up to 5% for using the software. “Research has confirmed that the distraction associated with cell phone use is much more dangerous than originally suspected,” said Aegis … [Read more...]
Text messaging a hot topic after crash
October 5, 2008 by Leave a Comment
News that text messaging played a role in the deadly L.A. commuter train crash has thrust the practice of texting while driving into the national debate. (Update) The National Safety Board reported Oct. 1 that engineer Robert Sanchez sent a text message 22 seconds before the crash, after he had sent and received text messages numberous times during his shifts that day. He received a text message 80 seconds before the crash, the NTSB said. Wireless industry analyst Jack Gold said the widely publicized information that Sanchez had been texting certainly will inspire more legislation against … [Read more...]
Canadian docs want cell phone crackdown
October 4, 2008 by 1 Comment
With or without a hands-free device, motorists are at a significantly greater risk of getting into a serious accident when they use a cell phone and drive, a new study says. The Ontario Medical Association called on its provincial government to enact laws reducing the cell phone dangers. The Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Nova Scotia have banned the use of hand-held cell phones. "Doctors know all too well the consequences of driving while distracted," OMA president Ken Arnold said. The group stated: "The OMA has found evidence that cell phone use (regardless of … [Read more...]
New Hampshire: Cell phone laws, legislation
October 1, 2008 by 8 Comments
Cell phone, texting news: A 2026 measure seeks to more than double fines for drivers distracted by their handheld cell phones. First-time offenders of the existing hands-free law would pay $250, up from $100 under state Sen. Donovan Fenton's plan. New Hampshire's hands-free law went into effect in July 2015. It was the 13th state to ban the practice. Fines range from $100 (first offense) to $500. The distracted driving measure cleared the legislature in May 2014 and was signed by Gov. Maggie Hassan, who said it tackles "an increasing danger we must address." The ban on text messaging went … [Read more...]
Recent Comments