Motorists have been warned. Now they'll be fined. A trio of states saw their distracted driving laws take full effect with the new year, bringing new fines. Virginia, Arizona and Idaho had been issuing warnings under previously enacted hands-free laws. In Virginia, the law now prohibits the holding of wireless communications devices while driving. Although the ban went into effect in mid-summer, enforcement began with the new year. Officials say almost 20 percent of all crashes on Virginia's roads and highways can be linked to distraction. Almost 15 percent of fatalities had that … [Read more...]
Fla., Illinois crackdown on distracted driving
January 1, 2020 by 1 Comment
Chronic distracted drivers have a bit less to celebrate with the arrival of the new year. Two states made moves Jan. 1 to crack down on those who drive while fiddling with their electronic devices. Several others are settling into big changes made during 2019. In Florida, full enforcement of the texting & driving law went into effect Jan. 1. The Florida Highway Patrol and other law agencies had delayed primary enforcement of the existing texting & driving rules, as well as the new school- and work-zone restrictions on cell phones. The Sunshine State's new texting policy technically … [Read more...]
Busy summer for new distracted driving laws
July 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment
A busy legislative season yielded a handful of new distracted driving laws that went into effect July 1. Florida, Tennessee, Illinois and Virginia all saw new laws go into action at year's midpoint. And Minnesota follows a month later. While some distracted driving measures remain in play, most lawmakers have gone home for the year, setting up another round of debates in 2020 over handheld cell phone use, texting & driving, enforcement, "personal freedoms" and the threat of racial profiling. Almost all states have texting & driving bans, but a minority have clamped down on cell phone … [Read more...]
Florida lawmakers put teeth in texting law
April 29, 2019 by Leave a Comment
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...]
‘Red’ lights for 7 states in texting laws survey
January 22, 2018 by 2 Comments
Seven states received negative ratings from an annual roadway safety report due to their lax texting & laws. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety study fingered Arizona, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota for their lack of effective texting laws. Arizona, Missouri and Montana do not have universal texting & driving bans. Florida, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota have texting laws, but enforcement is hindered by the secondary enforcement status. Ohio avoided the group's "red" for "danger" signifier by having a cell phone restriction for novice drivers. … [Read more...]
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