Florida finally has a texting and driving ban. The state's governor signed the successful 2013 distracted driving legislation into law. It takes effect Oct. 1. "This is going to save lives. This is going to make sure our teenagers are safe while driving -- that they're not distracted while driving," Gov. Rick Scott said at a May 28 ceremony in Tallahassee. Florida was one of the few remaining states without any distracted driving laws. It becomes the 41st state to ban text messaging while driving, following Hawaii. The legislation came after years of resistance in the Florida … [Read more...]
Social media ban to La. governor
May 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Louisiana's unusual plan to single out social media in its distracted driving laws has been approved by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Bobby Jindal. Update: The social media ban for all drivers was signed by the governor in late May and went into effect Aug. 1, 2013. Fines: $175 to $500. /update The bill from state Sen. Dale Erdey cleared the Senate on May 21 with only one dissenting vote. It had previously been approved by Senate, which had to give final signoff to a House amendment. Louisiana outlaws texting while driving, but lawmakers' attempts to ban handheld cell phone use … [Read more...]
Hawaii bans distracted driving
May 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Distracted driving has been illegal throughout Hawaii for several years, thanks to bans on each of the islands. Now the state has outlawed text messaging and the use of handheld cell phones while driving, in a move that's partly symbolic and mostly practical. Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed Act 74 on May 20, saying the new Hawaii law "establishes consistency across the state ... simplifying enforcement and likewise making our highways and roadways safer." Hawaii becomes the 40th state to ban text messaging while driving, and the 11th to outlaw handheld cell phone use while behind the wheel. … [Read more...]
Wireless carriers gang up on texting
May 15, 2013 by 1 Comment
AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign against texting & driving is getting support from some unlikely allies -- rival wireless carriers Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. The safety ad campaign will deploy its new resources throughout the summer, which AT&T and AAA call "the 100 deadliest days on the roads for teen drivers." "Texting and driving is a serious social challenge, and we look forward to partnering with leading organizations and experts around the world to answer it," said Verizon Wireless chief Dan Mead. The ad campaign, which kicks off May 20, "will focus on the stories of people who … [Read more...]
Fla. governor gets texting bill
May 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
In a first for Florida, a distracted driving bill has emerged from the Legislature. The state Senate gave final approval Thursday to a plan that would outlaw text messaging while driving in Florida. (Update: The bill signing is set for May 28. The law will go into effect Oct. 1.) The bill, however, calls for secondary enforcement, preventing police from issuing tickets unless another offense is observed, such as weaving or missing a stop sign. It does not address cell phones. Interviewed Monday, Gov. Rick Scott dodged the direct question of whether he would sign the texting … [Read more...]
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