States that don't ban cell phone use by drivers in school zones would lose federal funding under a bill proposed by Colorado congresswoman Betsy Markey. "Erica's Law" is named after 9-year-old Erica Forney, who was killed by a driver using a cell phone. The girl was biking home after school. Erica lived in Markey's district of Fort Collins. Several bills are pending in Congress that would tie distracted driving laws and federal highway funding, including one sponsored by West Virginia's Sen. Jay Rockefeller. Colorado's ban on text messaging went into effect in December. A hands-free … [Read more...]
Kentucky, Nebraska go texting-free
April 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Welcome Kentucky and Nebraska to the club: They're the 22nd and 23rd states to ban text messaging while driving. The House and Senate approved Kentucky's ban on texting while driving April 1. Two weeks later, the bill became law. No drama there: Gov. Steve Beshear banned text messaging for state employees in 2009. He previously called the texting plan (HB 415) "a common-sense bill to protect all Kentucky drivers." Kentucky's new distracted driving rules also outlaw the use of personal communications devices by motorists under the age of 18 with learner’s permits. Rep. Tom Riner, sponsor … [Read more...]
Alberta distracted driving law unveiled
April 14, 2010 by 6 Comments
Alberta would no longer be "Canada’s traffic-safety donkey" under long-delayed legislation that would tackle distracted driving. The province's Tory government called the plan "some of the most comprehensive distracted driving legislation in Canada." Bill 16, introduced April 14, would outlaw drivers' use of handheld cell phones (hands-free OK), as well as PDAs and other handheld electronic communications devices. Texting would be included in forbidden activities. Alberta's distracted driving legislation includes a ban on "personal grooming" while driving. While frequently cited (by dubious … [Read more...]
Aussies: ‘Don’t be a dickhead’
April 13, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The government of Victoria, Australia, has an official message for its citizens: "Don't be a dickhead. Don't use your phone." The opposition party and a loose coalition of teachers, moralists and conservatives aren't amused, saying the driving safety campaign sends a bad message to the state's youth and is an affront to educators. Finance and Water minister Tim Holding says, "Whatever it is, indeed it's already promoted debate." "Our road safety campaigns in Victoria have always provoked debate and discussion and sometimes it's because of the graphic images that have been presented, … [Read more...]
Maryland OKs handheld cell phone ban
April 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Maryland’s Legislature has approved a ban on handheld cell phone use while driving. The law will team up with the state's ban on text messaging while driving, approved last year. The handheld cell phone bill, which calls for “secondary” enforcement,” won final approval April 9 and was sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who plans to sign it. The same day, a Nebraska ban on texting while driving was sent to the governor. It, too, is limited to secondary status. The state's governor vetoed a distracted driving bill in 2007, but was overridden. The Maryland measure, which originated in the Senate, … [Read more...]
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