Iowa won't be seeing an upgrade of its texting & driving law as distracted driving legislation missed a key deadline in the House. The Senate signed off on state Sen. Tod Bowman's SF 2289 on March 11, but the House didn't take action on the plan before the so-called "funnel deadline" of March 14. Bowman blamed House Speaker Kraig Paulsen for not pushing through the distracted driving measure. It is possible but highly unlikely the bill would be resurrected in 2014. Bowman's bill, as amended, targeted most forms of wireless communications by drivers, but not use of cell phones. Iowa … [Read more...]
Utah bolsters distracted driving law
March 14, 2014 by 1 Comment
Led by state Sen. Steve Urquhart, Utah has updated and enhanced its distracted driving law. The plan, given final approval by the governor April 1, adds a variety of electronic communication behaviors to the texting & driving already prohibited by state law. These include accessing the Internet; creating or viewing video; entering data data into a handheld wireless communications devices. Motorists are barred from "dialing" phone numbers, but they remain free to talk on cell phones. A Senate amendment allowed drivers to view and use GPS applications. Urquhart (pictured), a Republican, … [Read more...]
South Dakota texting ban passes
March 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The House and Senate of South Dakota regrouped on the issue of texting & driving, and sent a plan to the governor's desk. The fine for text messaging while driving in South Dakota would be $100, but offenders would have to be engaged in another violation in order to be ticketed. The deal, reached by a second conference committee March 13, was basically the same as the Senate's original bill, which was rejected by the House. Both houses' legislation called for secondary enforcement. (this report updated March 13) Lawmakers battled over the issue of local control, with the House … [Read more...]
Texting, driving doubles in Michigan
March 5, 2014 by 1 Comment
Texting and driving has doubled in Michigan over the past two years, a state study suggests. More than 16 percent of those surveyed by phone admitted to texting & driving, according to the January study conducted for the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. Researchers found a high awareness that reading, composing and sending text messages is unlawful in the state. Drivers also were more likely to talk on cell phones while driving. Six out of 10 told researchers they chatted while behind the wheel, up slightly from 2012. About a third of those surveyed said they made or accepted … [Read more...]
Calif. court: OK to hold phone for map
February 28, 2014 by 4 Comments
California's hand-held cell phone law applies only to drivers who are engaged in a call, an appeals court has ruled. The ruling favored a driver, Steven Spriggs, who was ticketed for checking a map application while stopped in heavy traffic. "Spriggs contends he did not violate the statute because he was not talking on the telephone," the Fifth District Court of Appeal said in a ruling published Feb. 27. "We agree. "Based on the statute's language, its legislative history, and subsequent legislative enactments, we conclude that the statute means what it says -- it prohibits a … [Read more...]
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