Gov. Jerry Brown’s SB 28 veto message
Calif. gov gets bill doubling fines
The state Senate and House have approved Sen. Joe Simitian’s SB 28, a reprise of his 2010 plan to more than double fines for distracted driving violations. The 2011 bill was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown on Aug. 15. Update of Sept. 7: The governor vetoed SB 28, saying its fines were too punitive for most people. Under the Simitian plan, fines for using handheld cell phones or text messaging while driving would have increased to $50 (first offense) and $100. In addition, a point is charged against the driver's license on second and subsequent offenses. A first offense would cost violators about … [Read more...]
In N.Y., texting a primary offense
New York means business with violators of its texting and driving law: The governor signed legislation giving primary enforcement status to the offense. That means law officers can stop and cite offenders of the state's electronic distracted driving laws. Handheld cell phone use already carries primary enforcement status in New York. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also said he would order the DMV to carry out his plan to assess a third point against the drivers licenses of texting and handheld cell phone violators. "It's plain and simple: Distracted driving leads to tragedies that have affected families … [Read more...]
Nevada nixes texting, driving
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...]
Cuomo seeks tougher penalties
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...]
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