Cell phone, texting news: State Rep. Marcus Evans inspired a crackdown on drivers who video conference (via apps such as Zoom) on their commutes. The 2023 law (via House Bill 2431) brings fines from $75 to $150. The law also targets social media use while driving, for example X and Facebook. "Illinois has been a leader in cracking down on distracted driving, but we need to remain vigilant and continue to refine our laws as new technologies emerge," Evans said in mid-March 2023. Penalties for causing bodily harm or death while using an electronic communications device have increased to … [Read more...]
Tennessee: Cell phone laws, legislation
November 14, 2008 by 14 Comments
Distracted driving news: A hands-free cell phone law took effect July 1, 2020. "This bill requires that you can not have it in your hand," says State Rep. John Holsclaw, who fought for tougher distracted driving laws for five years. Sen. Jon Lundberg unsuccessfully sought to repeal the law in 2020. In 2024, additional points were mandated for young drivers who are serial offenders (below). Fines are now $50 for most distracted driving offenses in Tennessee, but more if a serial offense ($100) or in an active school or work zone ($200). Tennessee has been cited as the worst state in the … [Read more...]
Massachusetts: Cell phone laws, legislation
November 12, 2008 by 21 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging news: State Sen. Jo Comerford again seeks to amend the 2019 distracted driving law to prohibit use of videos by drivers. The 2023 bill would mandate that "no operator of a motor vehicle shall report or broadcast video of themselves on a mobile electronic device," Comerford said. The measure is dubbed "Charlie's Law," after a bicyclist hit and killed by a driver allegedly using Facetime. 2021 has seen an explosive increase in the number of electronic distracted driving citations statewide. In January, there were only 151 citations and warnings, but by April the … [Read more...]
Texas: Cell phone laws, legislation
November 12, 2008 by 94 Comments
Texas distracted driving news: State Sen. Judith Zaffirini continues to push for a complete set of distracted driving laws in Texas. Her Senate Bill 41 would outlaw use of handheld communications devices for all drivers. Her law would be "just hands-free, instead of (a banning) using a cell phone for certain purposes." She says the texting law that went into effect in late 2017 is better than nothing, but has loopholes such as allowing texting in temporarily stopped traffic. Texas' texting & driving law went into effect Sept. 1, 2017. Fines are $25 to $99 for a first offense, then $100 … [Read more...]
Ban texting while driving: AMA
November 11, 2008 by 1 Comment
The American Medical Assn. joined the movement against text messaging while driving, saying, "No one should have to worry that other drivers are focused on texting instead of traffic." The group of almost a quarter million physicians decided to throw its weight behind various state efforts to ban text messaging while driving. The group took up the headline-grabbing issue at its semi-annual policy meeting in Orlando. Seven states and Washington, D.C., have laws against motorists using texting devices. While bans on cell phone use while driving have proved controversial, the idea that texting … [Read more...]
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