N.Y. regional text messaging news: About 24,000 tickets for texting were issued in New York City in 2013, as of mid-October, DMV numbers show. Counties with a large number of citations include Erie (1,568), Suffolk (1,716), Monroe (1,559) and Nassau (1,121). The state of New York has upgraded its enforcement of the texting while driving law to primary status. At the same time, the governor ordered the DMV to add a fifth point against the licenses of distracted drivers. Prior to the get-tough moves in Albany, counties in New York state had been quite active in setting up regional laws … [Read more...]
Maryland bans text messaging by drivers
April 13, 2009 by 3 Comments
Maryland's governor has signed the text-messaging legislation forwarded to him by the state Senate. It takes effect Oct. 1, 2009. (This story originally filed March 2009.) Maryland's ban on texting by all drivers does not include the act of reading messages, thanks to an amendment tacked on by the House. This is intended to make enforcement easier, since police in theory won't pull over drivers who are just reading phone numbers. Read about the 2010 legislation to close the loophole. Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the Maryland texting ban on April 7, 2009. The governor had indicated he'd sign … [Read more...]
Virginia: Cell phone, texting laws, legislation
January 23, 2009 by 36 Comments
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...]
Pennsylvania: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 19, 2008 by 37 Comments
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...]
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...]
Recent Comments