Nevada's governor has approved legislation banning handheld cell phone use and text messaging for all drivers. The Assembly's final vote came May 30 and the Senate signed off June 4. Nevada is now the 34th state to ban texting while driving. The measure, SB 140, has was approved by Gov. Brian Sandoval, who made it clear that he would support a statewide ban on text messaging while driving. The law will go into full effect Jan. 1 with warnings to be handed out in October. Fines are $50 then $100 and then $250. Sen. Shirley Breeden was the bill's author. Her texting bill of 2010 failed to … [Read more...]

Saying that “current warnings, educational programs and driving laws aren’t working," Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed legislation that would crack down on drivers using a variety of portable electronics. The governor's plan would make drivers' use of any portable electronic device subject to primary enforcement, meaning police would not need another reason to stop and cite them. Handheld cell phone violations already are marked for primary enforcement in New York. Cuomo's plan also threatens repeat violators with loss of their driving privileges: The governor calls for an additional point … [Read more...]

Maine became the 33rd state to ban texting while driving as Gov. Paul LePage signed off on the safety legislation June 3. Maine's texting and driving law goes into effect in September 2011, 90 days after the legislature adjourns. Fines will be no less than $100, although higher penalties were not specified. The distracted driving law calls for primary enforcement, meaning police can stop and cite motorists for the offense without further cause. Previously, police could not stop drivers solely because they were observed text messaging while behind the wheel. Final approval of the bill came … [Read more...]

California's monthlong crackdown on distracted drivers -- called the nation's largest campaign against distracted driving -- wrapped with more than 53,000 citations written. The sweep coincided with the first Distracted Driving Awareness Month (April). It involved 103 California Highway Patrol offices and more than 280 local and regional law enforcement agencies. At the same time, the Office of Traffic Safety reported a 7 percent decline in fatal crashes, although there is no clear link to the distracted driving campaign. California has had rolling sweeps for several years, almost all of … [Read more...]