A handful of distracted driving laws went into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, seeking to rein in drivers who yap on cell phones and send text messages while behind the wheel. The vast majority of distracted driving legislation went nowhere in 2009 -- surprising for a year in which so much publicity was generated over the issue -- but a handful of states got past the debates and took their safety concerns to the streets. The focus now moves from the legislatures to the law enforcement agencies, where enforcement could be spotty. In Illinois, text messaging is now illegal for all drivers. Fines are … [Read more...]
Colorado, N. Carolina texting bans in effect
December 1, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Texting while driving is illegal in Colorado and North Carolina, as of now. The North Carolina ban prohibits all drivers from text messaging and emailing. The law calls for a $100 fine plus court costs, but no points for the infractions. The legislation was signed by Gov. Bev Perdue in mid-June. About two-thirds of North Carolina adults reportedly approve of bans on use of cell phones while driving, but legislation outlawing motorists' use of handheld cell phones was put on hold in 2009 after a poor reception in the Commerce Committee. Violations by school bus drivers will be treated as … [Read more...]
S.C. proposal: text & drive, go to prison
November 18, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The nation's toughest sanctions against driving and text messaging have been proposed in South Carolina. House Bill 4189 calls for fines of up to $2,500, two months in jail and a driver's license suspension. And that's for the first offense. A driver who kills someone while text messaging is looking at 25 years in prison. The legislation would also allow law officers to seize and inspect a driver's cell phone to if he or she was texting while driving when they were stopped. That provision, no doubt, would face opposition from civil liberties advocates. Rep. Don Bowen, R-Anderson, on … [Read more...]
Rhode Island outlaws text messaging
October 31, 2009 by Leave a Comment
In 2001, Rhode Island's General Assembly passed Peter Kilmartin’s bill banning handheld cell phones. It was to be one of the first laws in the United States protecting citizens from drivers who were distracted by their cell phones. The governor vetoed the legislation. Almost a decade later, Rhode Island finally sent another governor a distracted driver law, but this one was signed into law on Nov. 10. But the law outlaws reading, writing and sending text messages while behind the wheel -- not the use of cell phones. The sponsor? Rep. Peter Kilmartin, D-Pawtucket. “I realize this is a … [Read more...]
N.Y. legislator snubs mom of texting fatality
May 21, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The chairman of the Transportation Committee in New York's Assembly has been previously cited as an impediment to texting and handheld cell phone bans for drivers. Now, the gloves are off. (Published on: May 21, 2009. Update: Gantt's driver safety bill that includes a ban on New York State text messaging while driving cleared the Assembly on June 17 and was sent to the Senate.) Assemblyman David Gantt infuriated some legislators Tuesday as he refused to meet with the mother whose son died as he was texting and driving. Kelly Cline was in Albany to lobby for a bill that would ban text … [Read more...]
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