Pennsylvania cell phone/texting news: State Sen. Rosemary Brown's hands-free cell phone measure for 2023-24 has become law. It was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro on June 5. "I have met too many people with injuries they’ll live with for the rest of their lives because they were hit by a distracted driver," Shapiro said. The new law calls for a $50 fine and primary enforcement. A 12-month (written) warning period is now in effect. Pennsylvania's texting law went into effect in March 2012. Police continue to complain it is difficult to enforce because drivers are allowed to enter phone numbers … [Read more...]
Mississippi: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 19, 2008 by 11 Comments
Cell phone/texting news: State Rep. Jill Ford resurrected her handheld cell phone measure for the 2022 session. HB 429 would outlaw use of cell phones for calling, texting or using the Internet unless used in hands-free mode. The offense would be a misdemeanor and carry a $500 fine. The plan was shot down last year in the Judiciary Committee. Another attempt perished in the pandemic-shortened session of 2020. Ford said she was "hopeful to get some momentum from law enforcement." Mississippi's statewide distracted driving law continues to allow use of cell phones by drivers, meaning the … [Read more...]
Utah: Cell phone & texting laws, legislation
December 17, 2008 by 7 Comments
Cell phone/texting news: State Rep. Carol Spackman Moss says she's leaning toward making a fifth attempt at a handheld cell phone law in 2023. Moss isn't sure she can prevail over the "personal freedom" GOP lawmakers, but she cites "a crisis" on the roadways. Her HB 160 of 2021 suffered a quick defeat. In 2020, her plan passed both houses but died awaiting a final vote. "I think I owe it to (survivor families) to keep trying," she has said. Moss says opponents have "lots of excuses" for not passing a distracted driving bill. Meanwhile, state roadway fatalities are at a two-decade high … [Read more...]
Arkansas: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 17, 2008 by 11 Comments
Cell, text messaging update: State Rep. Ashley Hudson proposes new punishments for drivers who kill or seriously injury others while using wireless communications devices. The plan was approved by the House and Senate in March and moved on to the governor. Fine up to $2,500 and a possible year in prison. Arkansas has no restrictions on most cell phone calling by adult drivers, but it regulates their use by drivers under the age of 21. A law prohibiting use of handheld cell phones in school zones and highway work zones took effect Oct. 1, 2011. Current prohibitions: All drivers … [Read more...]
Indiana: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 13, 2008 by 46 Comments
Cell phone, texting update: Violators of the 2020 hands-free driving law will now see demerit points vs. their licenses. The law barring drivers from using handheld communications devices took effect July 1, 2020, but the points went into effect a year later. State law officers issued more than 14,000 citations and warnings for electronic distracted driving as of early 2023. Fines up to $500 under the law generated by Rep. Holli Sullivan's HB 1070. Gov. Holcomb called for the hands-free law while announcing his agenda for the 2020 legislative session and repeated the message in the State … [Read more...]
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