The House and Senate of South Dakota regrouped on the issue of texting & driving, and sent a plan to the governor's desk. The fine for text messaging while driving in South Dakota would be $100, but offenders would have to be engaged in another violation in order to be ticketed. The deal, reached by a second conference committee March 13, was basically the same as the Senate's original bill, which was rejected by the House. Both houses' legislation called for secondary enforcement. (this report updated March 13) Lawmakers battled over the issue of local control, with the House … [Read more...]
Texting, driving doubles in Michigan
March 5, 2014 by 1 Comment
Texting and driving has doubled in Michigan over the past two years, a state study suggests. More than 16 percent of those surveyed by phone admitted to texting & driving, according to the January study conducted for the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. Researchers found a high awareness that reading, composing and sending text messages is unlawful in the state. Drivers also were more likely to talk on cell phones while driving. Six out of 10 told researchers they chatted while behind the wheel, up slightly from 2012. About a third of those surveyed said they made or accepted … [Read more...]
Calif. court: OK to hold phone for map
February 28, 2014 by 4 Comments
California's hand-held cell phone law applies only to drivers who are engaged in a call, an appeals court has ruled. The ruling favored a driver, Steven Spriggs, who was ticketed for checking a map application while stopped in heavy traffic. "Spriggs contends he did not violate the statute because he was not talking on the telephone," the Fifth District Court of Appeal said in a ruling published Feb. 27. "We agree. "Based on the statute's language, its legislative history, and subsequent legislative enactments, we conclude that the statute means what it says -- it prohibits a … [Read more...]
New Mexico texting ban now law
February 18, 2014 by 1 Comment
New Mexico has approved a ban on text messaging while driving, with the Legislature's plan signed by a receptive governor March 2. The texting law's effective date is July 1. (post updated March 2) The texting & driving legislation sailed through the Legislature, with only five lawmakers opposed in the House and one in the Senate. The law makes New Mexico the 42nd state to outlaw text messaging by all drivers. The state already has a ban on use of communications devices by driving students under age 18. It has no other cell phone laws. Fines will be $25 (first offense), then $50. … [Read more...]
N.H. justices: Reading text was reckless
February 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The New Hampshire Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man sent to prison for reckless driving while reading a text message. The resulting wreck left a teenager riding in another vehicle with brain damage. Chad Belleville was found guity of second-degree assault after he admitted to reading the text while his southbound SUV crossed the median and hit two northbound vehicles, leaving the boy with brain damage. Justice Carol Ann Conboy, left, wrote Feb. 11 that Belleville's driving on Dec. 23, 2010, was a "gross deviation from the conduct of a law-abiding citizen." He remains … [Read more...]
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