West Virginia's yearlong adjustment period is over: Police can now stop and cite drivers who are talking on cell phones without hands-free attachments. New distracted driving laws also went into effect July 1 in Virginia, South Dakota and Hawaii. In West Virginia, "primary enforcement" now applies to both texting & driving and the use of handheld mobile phones while behind the wheel. Text messaging and driving has been subject to primary enforcement since last summer. That means police need no other reason to pull over a driver whom they observe texting. Handheld cell phone use … [Read more...]
Illinois lawmakers OK cell phone ban
May 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Illinois' General Assembly has sent to the governor a proposed law banning use of handheld wireless devices while driving in the state. Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign off on the ban, said House sponsor Rep. John D'Amico (pictured). With Quinn's signature, the mobile phone law would go into effect Jan. 1. The measure rewrites Illinois' texting & driving law to add cell phones and other wireless devices. Hands-free operation of cell phones would be allowed. Fines for driving while using a handheld cell phone would be $75 for a first offense. The second ticket would cost $100, then … [Read more...]
No. 38: Alabama bans texting & driving
May 9, 2012 by 4 Comments
Starting Aug. 1, text messaging while driving will be illegal in the state of Alabama. Gov. Robert Bentley signed off on the distracted driving legislation May 8. The law was a long time coming. The bill's author is state Rep. Jim McClendon, left, one of the nation's most persistent lawmakers when it comes to distracted driving. McClendon, R-Springville, saw his distracted driving legislation rejected or ignored at least six times. In 2011 and 2012, McClendon's texting and driving bills cleared the House only to die in the Senate. This year, the Senate played ball. A compromise deal was … [Read more...]
Idaho outlaws texting while driving
April 6, 2012 by 3 Comments
Text messaging while behind the wheel will no longer be permitted in Idaho as of July 1. Gov. Butch Otter signed the Legislature's distracted driving measure April 5. The distracted driving law will receive primary enforcement -- police can stop and cite offenders for that reason alone -- but offenses are not moving violations. Also, there are no points assessed against the driver's license. The fine for texting & driving in Idaho will be $85. Idaho became the 37th state to outlaw text messaging while driving, following West Virginia by only two days. West Virginia also banned use of … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania texting law breakdown
November 9, 2011 by 9 Comments
Specifics of the ban on text messaging that was approved by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett on Nov. 9, 2011: Prohibits as a primary offense all drivers from using an Interactive Wireless Communication Device (IWCD) to send, read or write a text-based message. Defines an IWCD as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer or similar devices that can be used for texting, instant messaging, emailing or browsing the Internet. Defines a text-based message as a text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on an … [Read more...]
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