Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen has signed into law a ban on text messaging while driving, as expected. Enforcement will begin July 1. The Tennessee ban on text messaging while driving comes with a $50 fine for violators and $10 court costs. It is a non-moving offense, meaning no points are added to the driver’s license and there are no insurance problems. Enforcement is expected to come into play when drivers commit other violations or get into accidents, law enforcement agencies indicated after the May 13 signing. The Senate bill went through a lot of push-and-pull before crossing the desk … [Read more...]
Honolulu bans take effect July 1
May 7, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The City of Honolulu's long debate over drivers' use of handheld electronic devices finally has reached an end. Mayor Mufi Hannemann signed Bill 4 into law on May 7. Prohibited devices include handheld cell phones, text messaging devices, PDAs, laptop computers and video game machines. In February, the Honolulu mayor vetoed an earlier plan to ban text messaging while driving after police complained they had no way of telling what a driver was doing while holding a cell phone. Honolulu's police have resisted all previous efforts to control drivers' use of wireless devices, citing … [Read more...]
Philly mayor signs ban, defies state
May 1, 2009 by 3 Comments
Mayor Mike Nutter of Philadelphia has signed off on the City Council's ban on talking on handheld cell phones while driving. The mayor did so under threats from state legislators. The Pennsylvania House on Monday approved an amendment that would prevent the state's largest city from receiving $90 million in gas-tax and highway-repair funding if it went ahead with the ban. There is no state ban on handheld cell phones for all drivers. "We are doing what we think is in our best interest," he said Thursday while signing the cell phone legislation at a media set-up. " If your hands aren't on the … [Read more...]
Ontario reins in handheld devices
April 24, 2009 by 24 Comments
Ontario drivers who like to yak and text on handheld cell phones have about six months to cure themselves of the habits. (Update: The Ontario ban on handheld electronics for drivers went into effect Monday, Oct. 26. This post is about the bill passing.) The Legislature gave final approval Wednesday to a ban on texting and using handheld devices behind the wheel. Prohibited activities include emailing, watching DVDs, fooling with MP3 players and video gaming. Drivers may continue to use cell phones if a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth headset is employed. "What we’re trying to do is … [Read more...]
Cleveland, Albany say no to texting
April 15, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Cleveland has become the latest big city to prohibit text messaging by drivers. Meanwhile, Albany County, N.Y., has prohibited texting behind the wheel. Both bans come in reaction to a perceived lack of action at the state level. Cleveland's City Council also called on Ohio's lawmakers to adopt a similar ban on driving and texting. The lead legislator on the Albany plan, Christopher Higgins, called texting while driving "an epidemic in this country." The Cleveland ban takes effect 90 days after the (supportive) mayor signs the legislation. Fines range from $150-$500. The Albany County ban … [Read more...]
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