Cell phone, texting news: State Sen. Patrick McMath's 2024 plan to outlaw handheld cell phone use by drivers has been approved by the Senate and is before the full House. It would be limited to secondary enforcement, however, except for school and work zones. "The impact (of a distracted driving fatality) is never ending," one survivor told lawmakers March 27. A 2016 law hits Louisiana's distracted drivers in the wallet. It established a $500 fine for first-time offenders of the state texting law, a penalty that can double for serial offenders. Minors pay higher fines as well. Gov. John … [Read more...]
Ontario targets cell phones, text messages
October 31, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Ontario drivers would be prohibited from using hand-held cell phones and texting devices under a bill being pushed through by Transportation Minister Jim Bradley. The Canadian province would join Newfoundland and Labrador in banning use of cell phone while driving unless a hands-free device is employed. The transportation overseers say hand-held devices are involved in about a fifth of all highway accidents. Drivers' use of other devices such as iPods, MP3 players, video game players and laptop computers would be prohibited under the proposed law. Bill 118 is called the "Countering … [Read more...]
Nebraska: Cell phone laws, legislation
October 20, 2008 by 3 Comments
Distracted driving update: First-term Gov. Jim Pillen said, “I think we do have a problem” with cell phone use by drivers. "I think we have to have some serious conversations," he said in August 2023. Nebraska bans texting while driving, but limits police to secondary enforcement, meaning another reason is needed to make a traffic stop. Nineteen fatalities linked to distracted drivers in Nebraska during 2019, with almost 1,500 injuries. In 2017, at least 228 traffic fatalities were logged overall, compared with 217 the previous year. Safety officials cited distracted driving as a … [Read more...]
Software plays cell-phone nanny
October 15, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Originally published April 19, 2009 New software aims to neutralize the dangers of using mobile phones while driving, via a mechanism that prevents and controls incoming and outgoing calls. DriveAssist will be offered next year through major wireless carriers. The technology was developed by Canadian tech company Aegis Mobility in conjunction with Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide customers will receive a discount of up to 5% for using the software. “Research has confirmed that the distraction associated with cell phone use is much more dangerous than originally suspected,” said Aegis … [Read more...]
Text messaging a hot topic after crash
October 5, 2008 by Leave a Comment
News that text messaging played a role in the deadly L.A. commuter train crash has thrust the practice of texting while driving into the national debate. (Update) The National Safety Board reported Oct. 1 that engineer Robert Sanchez sent a text message 22 seconds before the crash, after he had sent and received text messages numberous times during his shifts that day. He received a text message 80 seconds before the crash, the NTSB said. Wireless industry analyst Jack Gold said the widely publicized information that Sanchez had been texting certainly will inspire more legislation against … [Read more...]
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