Two more municipalities in South Carolina have outlawed texting while driving, citing the state's inability to pass distracted driving legislation. Mount Pleasant approved a local ban Sept. 10, a day after the Beauford County barred texting. The Beauford ban includes the use of all cell phones by drivers under the age of 18. Hilton Head, which is part of Beauford County, adopted a texting ban in early July. Charleston's City Council, meanwhile, is nearing approval of an ordinance banning texting while driving. A key vote on the issue was just postponed until Sept. 24, … [Read more...]
Calif. closing teen texting loophole
September 4, 2013 by 1 Comment
California teens who use voice-activated technology to get around the state's ban on texting & driving are likely to see that loophole closed. If signed by the governor, a plan OK'd by the Legislature will prohibit use of voice-operated, hands-free texting technology by drivers under age 18. The ban would include texting via "infotainment" dashboards and voice-responsive apps such as the widely used Siri on iPhones. Teens already are barred from using cell phones -- whether held or hands-free -- but a 2012 law appears to give them permission to use the hands-free texting technologies … [Read more...]
Texting a driver may lead to liability
August 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
A person who distracts a driver by sending him a text message conceivably could be held liable for injuries or deaths that result, a New Jersey appeals court has ruled. The judges, however, rejected the application of its opinion in the case before them, saying the young defendant did not have a "special reason" to believe the driver would read the text while behind the wheel. The civil case was brought by motorcyclists Linda and David Kubert (pictured), who both lost a left leg in a distracted driving crash in Mine Hill Township during the fall of 2009. The couple are namesakes of … [Read more...]
Illinois bans handheld cell phones
August 16, 2013 by 1 Comment
Illinois drivers will have to put down their cell phones come Jan. 1. Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law an Illinois ban on use of handheld mobile devices while driving. The state already prohibits text messaging while driving. Fines range from $75 (first offense) to $150. "Too many Illinois families have suffered because of accidents that could have been prevented," Quinn said after the signing. The governor's approval of Aug. 16, which was expected, is another victory in the distracted driving arena for state Rep. John D'Amico, longtime leader of the Transportation Committee … [Read more...]
‘Nikki’s Law’ now law in New Jersey
August 15, 2013 by 1 Comment
New Jersey capped its recent efforts to crack down on distracted driving with enactment of "Nikki's Law," which requires the state DOT to warn motorists not to text while behind the wheel. State Sen. Fred Madden's bill, which calls for extensive signage warning of the dangers of distracted driving, was approved by Gov. Chris Christie on Aug. 14. Nikki's Law is named after a Washington Township teen who died in an apparent distracted driving crash in 2012. The Senate and Assembly both approved the bill unanimously in late April. The Assembly version, shepherded by Transporation … [Read more...]
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