Cell phone, texting news: Delegate Steve Westfall modernized the state's electronic distracted driving law with a comprehensive rewrite. His HB 2218 of 2023 includes jail or prison time for causing serious injury or a death while driving distracted. The measure was signed into law in late March and took effect in June. West Virginia's law against using handheld cell phones while driving became subject to primary enforcement in 2013. The law went into effect that summer, after a year of secondary enforcement in which police needed another reason to stop a motorist observed breaking the … [Read more...]
Ohio: Cell phone laws, legislation
September 16, 2008 by 79 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging news: A hands-free law with primary enforcement is now in full effect in Ohio -- and ticketing is under way. "Beginning today, if law enforcement sees a driver distracted by their phone, that driver can now be immediately pulled over," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Oct. 5, 2023, at the end of a six-month warning period. Fines from $150 (first offense) to $500, plus points vs. the driver's license. Holding cell phone to ear for a call allowed, but not entry of a phone number. The law officially went into effect April 4. The hands-free law of 2023 originated with HB … [Read more...]
South Carolina: Cell phone laws, legislation
September 9, 2008 by 11 Comments
Cell phone, texting news: State Sen. Tom Young continues to push for his 2023 plan to outlaw the holding of electronic devices while driving. Senate Bill 157 is a rerun of the 2021-22 session's S 248, which was OK'd by the Senate but died in the House. Fines up to $200. Young said in mid-November 2023 there's "definitely" more support for it now than when the original bill was filed. Young and state Rep. Bill Taylor have been pushing for a hands-free law since at least 2017. The state texting & driving law took effect in December 2014. It applies to all drivers and comes with a $25 … [Read more...]
North Carolina: Cell phone laws, legislation
July 7, 2008 by 29 Comments
Cell phone, texting legislation news: A hands-free bill that failed to become law in the 2021-22 session is back before the Senate. State Sen. Jim Burgin's 2023-24 plan again calls for fines ranging from $100 to $200, with points vs. the license for serial offenders. "Using a wireless communication device not only affects you, but a lot of other people when you are distracted while driving," he has said. A similar bill also expired in the Senate in 2019. A "disappointed" Burgin said he would try again. State voters overwhelming support a ban on holding of electronic devices by drivers, … [Read more...]
Maryland: Cell phone laws, legislation
July 4, 2008 by 43 Comments
Maryland distracted driving update: A 2020 bill seeks to allow police and related agencies to capture images of distracted drivers. Similar to red-light cameras, the system would send images to suspected offenders via the mail, along notices of the fines. Authorities would be required to post roadway notices that the distracted driving monitoring system is in use. The sponsor is state Sen. Katherine Klausmeier. A similar plan that would apply only in Montgomery County was rejected in mid-February by the House Environment and Transportation Committee. Distracted driving is being cited as a … [Read more...]
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