Distracted driving news: A new electronic distracted driving law took effect July 1, 2020. The new law bars many uses of electronic devices while driving, but allows for some phone-related activity and limited GPS use. It classifies offenses as a Class 2 misdemeanors, which come with fines as high as $500 and possible jail time. Primary enforcement. The governor signed off on state Rep. Doug Barthel's distracted driving measure in late March. The previous texting & driving law registers was a petty offense and limited to secondary enforcement. Gov. Kristi Noem did not take a position on the … [Read more...]
Rhode Island: Cell phone laws, legislation
June 24, 2008 by 3 Comments
Cell phone, texting updates: : Rhode Island's ban on handheld cell phone use goes into full effect June 1. Rhode Island previously prohibited texting while driving but not cell phone use. The law allows first-time violators a suspension of the $100 (maximum) fine if they show proof of acquiring a hands-free accessory. Gov. Gina Raimondo approved the legislation last July. The bill's sponsor was state Sen. Susan Sosnowski. Approval of the hands-free law means Rhode Island is joining three of its New England neighbors in reining in roadway cell phone use: Connecticut, Vermont and New … [Read more...]
Oklahoma: Cell phone laws, legislation
June 24, 2008 by 20 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging news: A 2025 bill that would prohibit handheld cell phone use in active school and construction zones has cleared the House and been sent to the Senate. Fine of up to $100. State Sen. Ron Sharp proposed a handheld cell phone bill for the 2020 session, but the plan died in committee. "We have to do something right now to protect property and protect our lives," Sharp said, citing the ineffectiveness of the state's texting & driving law. Sharp says it's an uphill climb in the state for distracted driving measures, with lawmakers focused on "individual … [Read more...]
New Jersey: Cell phone laws, legislation
June 24, 2008 by 10 Comments
Distracted driving update: Driver inattention continues to be a leading killer on New Jersey roads and highways. Numbers for 2021, released at the beginning of 2023, showed distracted driving was linked to 194 fatalities in the state. Distracted driving has been the No. 1 cause of roadway deaths for almost a decade, State Police reported, but in 2021 it was replaced in the top slot by driving under the influence. A New Jersey woman has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of vehicular homicide in a closely watched texting & driving case. Alexandra Mansonet, 50, … [Read more...]
Minnesota: Cell phone laws, legislation
June 24, 2008 by 17 Comments
Distracted driving updates: Just under 21,000 drivers were ticketed in the first year under Minnesota's hands-free law. Officials say distracted driving's role in roadway fatalities was reduced significantly in the period, from about 10 percent to 6 percent of total fatalities. Distracted motorists between the ages of 21 and 40 received almost 60 percent of the hands-free citations. Fines range from $50 to $275, before fees. Officials blame distracted driving for one out of four vehicle crashes in Minnesota. Minnesota's new hands-free law went into effect Aug. 1, 2019. Gov. Tim Walz had … [Read more...]
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