New year, new distracted driving laws. Three states -- Delaware, Kentucky and Kansas -- saw their distracted driving laws take full effect as 2011 arrived. In Delaware, the law against driving while text messaging or using a handheld cell phone went into effect Jan. 2. Penalties begin immediately: $50 (first offense), then $100 to $200 for subsequent violations. Delaware's distracted driving bans call for primary enforcement, meaning police can stop and cite motorists for violations without needing another reason. Also prohibited for drivers are Internet activities, game playing and use of … [Read more...]
Archives for 2010
‘The Last Text’: distracted to death
December 27, 2010 by 1 Comment
Yeah. LOL. Where R. Where U At. All text messages that led to tragedy, as detailed in a new 10-minute "documentary" about distracted driving deaths. AT&T's "The Last Text" video -- professionally produced and impactful -- spends time with those affected by a handful of text messaging deaths: The sister who sent the fatal text; the youth who hit and killed a bicyclist; the passenger declared dead but who survived in a broken body; the mom of teen girl who throws a 19th birthday party for her dead daughter. "All because of a senseless text message," says a state trooper at the site of a girl's … [Read more...]
DOT seeks big rig cell-phone ban
December 21, 2010 by 3 Comments
The federal Department of Transportation wants commercial drivers to shut up and drive. The DOT released a plan Dec. 17 that would ban handheld cell phone use by interstate truckers and bus drivers. "Every time a commercial truck or bus driver takes his or her eyes off the road to use a cell phone, even for a few seconds, the driver places everyone around them at risk," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This proposed rule will go a long way toward keeping a driver’s full attention focused on the road." The DOT cannot tell states how to regulate their roadways -- or outright … [Read more...]
Fighting driving & texting in style
December 9, 2010 by 2 Comments
U.S. Transportation chief Ray LaHood signs BMW's Don't TXT & Drive vehicle, which tours teen driving schools. LaHood inspired the campaign, BMW said Dec. 9. Although BMW stepped up as an ally, LaHood has vowed to rein in interactive devices that automakers are bringing to market. (Photo: Jim Sulley) … [Read more...]
Texas: Cell phoning, texting getting worse
December 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Texting behind the wheel has gotten significantly worse in the past five years, say 85 percent of Texas drivers surveyed. 80 percent feel the same way about cell phoning while driving. This video from the Texas Transportation Institute runs down the numbers. (Read more about distracted driving in Texas.) … [Read more...]
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