Two more municipalities in South Carolina have outlawed texting while driving, citing the state's inability to pass distracted driving legislation. Mount Pleasant approved a local ban Sept. 10, a day after the Beauford County barred texting. The Beauford ban includes the use of all cell phones by drivers under the age of 18. Hilton Head, which is part of Beauford County, adopted a texting ban in early July. Charleston's City Council, meanwhile, is nearing approval of an ordinance banning texting while driving. A key vote on the issue was just postponed until Sept. 24, … [Read more...]
Illinois bans handheld cell phones
August 16, 2013 by 1 Comment
Illinois drivers will have to put down their cell phones come Jan. 1. Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law an Illinois ban on use of handheld mobile devices while driving. The state already prohibits text messaging while driving. Fines range from $75 (first offense) to $150. "Too many Illinois families have suffered because of accidents that could have been prevented," Quinn said after the signing. The governor's approval of Aug. 16, which was expected, is another victory in the distracted driving arena for state Rep. John D'Amico, longtime leader of the Transportation Committee … [Read more...]
‘Nikki’s Law’ now law in New Jersey
August 15, 2013 by 1 Comment
New Jersey capped its recent efforts to crack down on distracted driving with enactment of "Nikki's Law," which requires the state DOT to warn motorists not to text while behind the wheel. State Sen. Fred Madden's bill, which calls for extensive signage warning of the dangers of distracted driving, was approved by Gov. Chris Christie on Aug. 14. Nikki's Law is named after a Washington Township teen who died in an apparent distracted driving crash in 2012. The Senate and Assembly both approved the bill unanimously in late April. The Assembly version, shepherded by Transporation … [Read more...]
Kentucky adding 3 points for texting
August 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Saying the danger was too great to wait, Gov. Steve Beshear has ordered a three-point penalty for the offense of texting while driving in Kentucky. The points add new financial incentives to stop driving distracted since insurance companies can use points to set higher premiums for offenders. Kentucky's fines for violations of its distracted driving laws are a relatively low $25 for the first offense and then $50, plus court costs. Under Kentucky's 2010 distracted driving law, adults are prohibited from text messaging & driving, while drivers under 18 are barred from use of all … [Read more...]
N.Y. texting fines up to $400
July 27, 2013 by 4 Comments
New York's fines for electronic distracted driving have increased, as part of the state's multi-pronged attack on drivers who text message and use handheld cell phones. Fines max out at $400 for serial offenders. The tougher fines were included in the 2013-14 state budget. New York's governor said the move would address "a frightening epidemic on our roadways," calling the increase in traffic fines "an important tool to punish and prevent this reckless behavior." They are in addition to the late May hike in DMV points against violators' licenses to five. Points can be reflected in … [Read more...]
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