Distracted driving news: Saying "distracted driving is an increasing problem in our state," Rep. Allison Tant is once again pushing fellow lawmakers to approve her hands-free House bill in 2025. "We've had a number of pedestrian deaths, as well as biking deaths, as well as other distracted driving deaths," she has said. Florida motorists may no longer hold their cell phones when traveling through school and work zones. Fines: $60 plus fees and three points vs. the driver's license. As with the texting & driving law, enforcement is primary, meaning offenders are subject to being pulled … [Read more...]
Drivers better off talking to passengers
December 2, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Cell phone calls are far more distracting to drivers than chats with their passengers, a new study finds. The results apply to hand-held phones as well as those equipped with hands-free devices such as wireless headphones. Researchers at the University of Utah examined the simulated driving patterns of 41 adults and their passenger friends, concluding that "the difference between a cell phone conversation and passenger conversation is due to the fact that the passenger is in the vehicle and knows what the traffic conditions are like, and they help the driver." Most of the study subjects were … [Read more...]
Missouri: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 2, 2008 by 17 Comments
Legislative update: A handheld cell phone law is now in effect in Missouri. It took effect Aug. 28 with warnings until early 2025. Senate Bill 398 from Sen. Nick Schroer sets fines from $150 to $500, with enhanced punishments for school-zone and work-zone violations. Limited to secondary enforcement, meaning police would need another reason for a traffic stop. Signed into law in early July by Gov. Mike Parson. The Missouri DOT reports a rise in work-zone crashes despite the recent decreased traffic volumes during the Covid outbreak. "Distracted driving has been recognized as a major … [Read more...]
Kentucky: Distracted driving laws, legislation
December 2, 2008 by 8 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging update: State Rep. James Tipton is making another run at a hands-free law during the 2023 legislative session via HB 12. Tipton filed similar bills in 2020 and 2022, but they did not make it out of committee. "I think it's time," Tipton said. "It's about saving lives." Fines would run from $20 to $100. Kentucky currently bans texting and driving, with fines starting at $25. That law dates back to 2010 and is considered outdated and unenforceable. In 2013, Gov. Steve Beshear used his administrative powers to toughen the state distracted driving laws after the … [Read more...]
Canadian distracted driving updates
December 1, 2008 by 39 Comments
Canada cell phone/texting overview: Distracted driving laws have been enacted in all Canadian provinces, with restrictions similar to those being adopted in the United States. These Canadian provinces have active laws against use of handheld cell phones and/or text messaging while driving -- Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland/Labrador. Newfoundland (2002) was the first province to adopt a distracted driving law, and Alberta (2011) was the last. Here's a guide to distracted driving laws in … [Read more...]
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