Florida has upgraded its anemic distracted driving law. The measure signed May 17 by Gov. Ron DeSantis makes texting while driving a primary offense, meaning police can stop and cite offenders for that reason alone. The state also took a hesitant step toward a handheld cell phone ban by prohibiting the practice in active school zones and roadway work zones. The strengthened law takes effect July 1. "Distracted driving has become an epidemic and I thank my colleagues in both the Senate and House for passing this much-needed common-sense legislation," said state Rep. Jackie Toledo, … [Read more...]
Stunned by cop’s death, Arizona goes hands free
April 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Inspired by tragedy yet slow to overcome resistance, Arizona has adopted a handheld cell phone ban. A hands-free measure cleared the Legislature on April 18 and was signed into law by the governor April 22. Arizona lawmakers were so opposed to electronic distracted driving regulation that the state does not currently have a texting & driving law. That dynamic changed in January, following the death of a police officer in a crash caused by a driver who admitted to texting. Dozens of Arizona's cities and counties have local laws against electronics use while behind the wheel, and those … [Read more...]
Minnesota hands free via new cell phone law
April 12, 2019 by 1 Comment
Minnesota has become the 17th state to ban the use of handheld cell phones. The state's hands-free law -- considered one of the legislative session's top achievements -- goes into effect Aug. 1. Motorists will need to use hands-free technology in order to operate their smartphones. Limited hands-free operation is permitted for GPS and the playing of music. Fines for holding a cell phone under the measure pushed through by State Rep. Frank Hornstein will range from $50 (first offense) to $275. Gov. Tim Walz offered families of those lost to distracted drivers "the deepest apologies … [Read more...]
Manitoba seizing licenses of distracted drivers
November 1, 2018 by 1 Comment
In Manitoba, it's now hands on the phone, hand over the driver's license. Drivers distracted by their handheld electronics will see a $672 fine. At least as likely to grab their attention is the roadside confiscation of licenses. The suspensions will last for three days and offenders will have to pay a $50 fee to reinstate their licenses. Repeat offenders (within a decade) will suffer a seven-day license loss. Police will take away the offender’s license on the spot and issue a short-term permit to allow for driving home. The changes went into effect Nov. 1. Offenders in the … [Read more...]
Four states turn up heat on distracted drivers
July 1, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The halfway point of 2018 brings new distracted driving restrictions to a quartet of states. The change is most significant in Georgia, which gets its first handheld cell phone ban. The new laws and penalties all took effect July 1. In Georgia, drivers must employ hands-free devices if they want to continue using smartphones behind the wheel. A long period of study by lawmakers resulted in a statute that focuses on barring the holding or touching of wireless communications devices. Also newly prohibited are recording videos, and watching videos. Georgia already has a texting & driving law. … [Read more...]
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