Distracted driving news: State Sen. Erin Grall seeks to expand the state's texing and driving prohibitions to include most uses of handheld devices such as cell phones. Fines would begin at $150 and 3 points vs. the driver's license, with the option for traffic school. The 2026 legislation is SB 1152. 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 over and cited … [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. The Highway Patrol cites a one-third reduction in calls to crashes linked to distracted driving. The law took effect Aug. 28, 2024, with warnings until early 2025. Senate Bill 398 from Sen. Nick Schroer set fines from $150 to $500, with enhanced punishments for school- and work-zone violations. Limited to secondary enforcement, meaning police need another reason for a stop. Signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson. MoDOT cites an increase in highway fatalities for the year, following two years of decreases. As of late … [Read more...]
Kentucky: Distracted driving laws, legislation
December 2, 2008 by 8 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging update: State Rep. Jimmy Higdon has unveiled a hands-free measure that would apply to all drivers. Higdon, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said of his 2026 plan: "With this piece of legislation, we can reduce deaths on Kentucky highways." He called the legislative effort "winnable." 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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