Florida has upgraded its anemic distracted driving law. The measure signed May 17 by Gov. Ron DeSantis makes texting while driving a primary offense, meaning police can stop and cite offenders for that reason alone. The state also took a hesitant step toward a handheld cell phone ban by prohibiting the practice in active school zones and roadway work zones. The strengthened law takes effect July 1. "Distracted driving has become an epidemic and I thank my colleagues in both the Senate and House for passing this much-needed common-sense legislation," said state Rep. Jackie Toledo, … [Read more...]
Stunned by cop’s death, Arizona goes hands free
April 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Inspired by tragedy yet slow to overcome resistance, Arizona has adopted a handheld cell phone ban. A hands-free measure cleared the Legislature on April 18 and was signed into law by the governor April 22. Arizona lawmakers were so opposed to electronic distracted driving regulation that the state does not currently have a texting & driving law. That dynamic changed in January, following the death of a police officer in a crash caused by a driver who admitted to texting. Dozens of Arizona's cities and counties have local laws against electronics use while behind the wheel, and those … [Read more...]
Minnesota hands free via new cell phone law
April 12, 2019 by 1 Comment
Minnesota has become the 17th state to ban the use of handheld cell phones. The state's hands-free law -- considered one of the legislative session's top achievements -- goes into effect Aug. 1. Motorists will need to use hands-free technology in order to operate their smartphones. Limited hands-free operation is permitted for GPS and the playing of music. Fines for holding a cell phone under the measure pushed through by State Rep. Frank Hornstein will range from $50 (first offense) to $275. Gov. Tim Walz offered families of those lost to distracted drivers "the deepest apologies … [Read more...]
Four states turn up heat on distracted drivers
July 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The halfway point of 2018 brings new distracted driving restrictions to a quartet of states. The change is most significant in Georgia, which gets its first handheld cell phone ban. The new laws and penalties all took effect July 1. In Georgia, drivers must employ hands-free devices if they want to continue using smartphones behind the wheel. A long period of study by lawmakers resulted in a statute that focuses on barring the holding or touching of wireless communications devices. Also newly prohibited are recording videos, and watching videos. Georgia already has a texting & driving law. … [Read more...]
In Georgia, handheld cell phone ban beats the clock
March 30, 2018 by 3 Comments
Georgia's seven-month march to a handheld cell phone ban ended in victory in the final hour of the 2018 legislative session. Gov. Nathan Deal signed the measure into law May 2, accompanied by relatives of the five nursing students who died in a horrific roadway crash. The new Georgia distracted driving law means motorists must use hands-free devices or voice-activated technology in order to talk on their phones. Fines were whittled down during legislative debate. Under changes made by the Senate to House Bill 673 (and approved by the House), first-time offenders will be fined $50 and … [Read more...]
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