After a two-year pause, Texas is about to resume its legislative range war over texting and driving. Texas, which places no restrictions on adult drivers' use of personal electronics, does bar drivers under age 18 from using wireless communications devices. It is among the dwindling numbers of states without a texting ban affecting all motorists. In 2013, an outraged state Rep. Tom Craddick saw his second attempt at a Texas texting ban clear the House but fail to gain even a committee vote in the Senate. There wasn't much of a point, opponents said, since Texas Gov. Rock Perry already … [Read more...]
Ontario plan: $1,000 plus points
March 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Ontario government followed through with plans to crack down on distracted drivers, proposing maximum fines of $1,000 and three points vs. offenders' licenses. Transportation Minister Glen Murray, left, introduced the "Keeping Ontario's Roads Safe Act" on March 17. The increased penalties for handheld cell phone use and texting had been sought by safety advocates and law enforcement: "Everyone's been saying you've got to put (distracted driving) in the same range as drinking and driving," the minister said. The distracted driving changes were anticipated, and followed action by the … [Read more...]
Oregon Legislature OKs doubled fines
July 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Oregon lawmakers have voted to increase fines for texting and using handheld mobile phones while driving to as much as $500. The plan now goes to Gov. John Kitzhaber, a Democrat who approved the expansion and toughening of the state's distracted driving law in 2011. Most violators would pay $250 plus fees for texting and cell phone convictions -- less than the new maximum. The current maximum fine, $250, would be doubled. The original Senate bill called for fines as high as $1,000. A rival plan in the House sought to increase the maximum fine to $2,000, but it was ignored. The … [Read more...]
Social media ban to La. governor
May 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Louisiana's unusual plan to single out social media in its distracted driving laws has been approved by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Bobby Jindal. Update: The social media ban for all drivers was signed by the governor in late May and went into effect Aug. 1, 2013. Fines: $175 to $500. /update The bill from state Sen. Dale Erdey cleared the Senate on May 21 with only one dissenting vote. It had previously been approved by Senate, which had to give final signoff to a House amendment. Louisiana outlaws texting while driving, but lawmakers' attempts to ban handheld cell phone use … [Read more...]
Distracted driving year in review
December 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The debate over distracted driving burned hotter than ever as 2011 ended, thanks to a controversial call for a total ban of cell phone use while behind the wheel. The year saw significant progress in the legislative war on against distracted driving. While some state laws prohibiting use of handheld cell phones took effect, most of the success came with bans of text messaging while driving. Here's a recap of the big distracted driving stories of 2011: New year, new laws (Jan. 1-2): Three states — Delaware, Kentucky and Kansas — see their new distracted driving laws take full effect as 2011 … [Read more...]
Recent Comments