Pennsylvania drivers will no longer be able to text message as of early March. Gov. Tom Corbett signed off on legislation Nov. 9 that bans texting while behind the wheel. Fines will be $50. Enforcement is primary, which allows police to pull over drivers for that infraction alone. "No text message is worth a human life," Corbett said during the bill-signing event. "The message of this legislation is drive now and text later." (This content first posted on Nov. 1 and updated on Nov. 9.) Pennsylvania has become the 35th state to outlaw texting while behind the wheel. The state's long-running … [Read more...]
Calif. gov gets bill doubling fines
August 15, 2011 by 1 Comment
The state Senate and House have approved Sen. Joe Simitian’s SB 28, a reprise of his 2010 plan to more than double fines for distracted driving violations. The 2011 bill was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown on Aug. 15. Update of Sept. 7: The governor vetoed SB 28, saying its fines were too punitive for most people. Under the Simitian plan, fines for using handheld cell phones or text messaging while driving would have increased to $50 (first offense) and $100. In addition, a point is charged against the driver's license on second and subsequent offenses. A first offense would cost violators about … [Read more...]
Missouri: Show us the ban, not the logo
July 18, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's heart seems in the right place with its new public safety campaign against texting and driving. Certainly there's a need: So far this year there have been 17,535 crashes in the Show Me State where distracted driving was cited as a contributing cause. The highway patrol even arranged for a race car to bear the logo for the no-texting campaign, one of those red-cross-out designs that says "no texting." Want a decal for your very own car? They're free to the public as window clingers. One slight problem. If you're a driver 21 or older in Missouri, feel free … [Read more...]
Arkansas: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 17, 2008 by 11 Comments
Cell, text messaging update: State Rep. Ashley Hudson proposes new punishments for drivers who kill or seriously injury others while using wireless communications devices. The plan was approved by the House and Senate in March and moved on to the governor. Fine up to $2,500 and a possible year in prison. Arkansas has no restrictions on most cell phone calling by adult drivers, but it regulates their use by drivers under the age of 21. A law prohibiting use of handheld cell phones in school zones and highway work zones took effect Oct. 1, 2011. Current prohibitions: All drivers … [Read more...]
Kentucky: Distracted driving laws, legislation
December 2, 2008 by 8 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging update: State Rep. Jimmy Higdon has unveiled a hands-free measure that would apply to all drivers. Higdon, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said of his 2026 plan: "With this piece of legislation, we can reduce deaths on Kentucky highways." He called the legislative effort "winnable." Kentucky currently bans texting and driving, with fines starting at $25. That law dates back to 2010 and is considered outdated and unenforceable. In 2013, Gov. Steve Beshear used his administrative powers to toughen the state distracted driving laws after the … [Read more...]
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