Distracted driving news: A hands-free law went into full effect in Virginia on Jan. 1, 2021. Virginia lawmakers approved the distracted driving bill with clear majorities and the governor has championed the new law. Fines are $125 for the first offense and then $250. There is a mandatory fine of $250 for violations in work zones. The DMV reports 1,907 convictions under the hands free law as of mid-summer 2021. State police report say they handed out more than 742 citations. Richmond's handheld cell phone went into full effect June 9, 2020. "It’s just not acceptable to use a cell phone … [Read more...]
Wyoming: Cell phone & texting laws, bills
January 5, 2009 by 2 Comments
Distracted driving news: State Rep. Hans Hunt's plan to imprison drivers who kill while distracted by texting has been soundly rejected by the House. The 2018 measure would have provided for aggravated-homicide prosecution if a driver is texting while causing a fatality. The mid-February vote was 19-40. The city of Powell's ban on handheld cell phone use while driving went into effect in January 2018. Six months into enforcement, no tickets had been written, although police said "a lot of warnings" were handed out. The Powell Tribune said 24 warnings had been recorded by midyear. The local … [Read more...]
Texting, California driving don’t mix
January 2, 2009 by 1 Comment
California's text-messaging law went into effect on Jan. 1, making it illegal for drivers to use wireless devices to send, receive or read electronic files while on the road. The new law joins two other laws affecting drivers that took effect in midsummer: a ban on the use of cell phones unless a hands-free device is enabled, and a total ban on cell phone use by motorists under 18. (Update): In the first month, the Highway Patrol wrote 88 citations for text messaging statewide. That does not include tickets from deputies and police. Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, pushed through the … [Read more...]
Idaho: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 30, 2008 by 14 Comments
Distracted driving news: A handheld cell phone ban took full effect Jan. 1, 2021. Primary enforcement. Fines are $75 for a first offense, then $150, then $300. The final bill (HB 614) signed by Gov. Brad Little was the same as one passed earlier by the Senate, but with a consideration for agriculture functions. "Remember lives are lost to this needless carnage on our roads and our highways," sponsor Sen. Chuck Winder told lawmakers before the vote on his original bill. The so-called "100 Deadliest Days" proved a bit less lethal in Idaho in 2020. 78 people died in crashes on Idaho's roads … [Read more...]
Nevada: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 22, 2008 by 57 Comments
Cell, texting news: Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow proposed a modification of the distracted driving laws permitting police to search a driver's cell phone to determine if it contributed to a crash. Allows for police use of a "investigative technology device" such as a textalyzer. Gorelow retreated in early March 2019 on a provision that if a driver refused to hand over the mobile phone, automatic license suspension goes into effect. The legislation was ignored, regardless. The next session begins Feb. 1, 2021. While the Highway Patrol notes that the state's distracted driving law is … [Read more...]
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