Distracted driving news: A plan to roughly double the penalty for handheld device use while driving is advancing in the General Assembly in 2026. SB 1591 seeks to eliminate a cap on court costs and to add taxes. The sponsor is state Sen. Ferrell Haile. The full Senate approved it March 5. A hands-free cell phone law took effect July 1, 2020. "This bill requires that you can not have it in your hand," says State Rep. John Holsclaw, who fought for tougher distracted driving laws for five years. Fines are now $50 for most distracted driving offenses, but more if a serial offense ($100) or in … [Read more...]
Massachusetts: Cell phone laws, legislation
November 12, 2008 by 21 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging news: State Sen. Jo Comerford again seeks to amend the 2019 distracted driving law to prohibit use of videos by drivers. The 2023 bill would mandate that "no operator of a motor vehicle shall report or broadcast video of themselves on a mobile electronic device," Comerford said. The measure is dubbed "Charlie's Law," after a bicyclist hit and killed by a driver allegedly using Facetime. 2021 has seen an explosive increase in the number of electronic distracted driving citations statewide. In January, there were only 151 citations and warnings, but by April the … [Read more...]
Louisiana: Cell phone laws, legislation
November 3, 2008 by 24 Comments
Cell phone, texting news: State Rep. Brian Glorioso's 2024 plan to outlaw handheld cell phone use by drivers is now in full effect. The law took effect Aug. 1, 2025, with warnings expiring Jan. 1, 2026. It is limited to secondary enforcement, however, except for school and work zones. "The impact (of a distracted driving fatality) is never ending," one survivor told lawmakers March 27. A 2016 law hits Louisiana's distracted drivers in the wallet. It established a $500 fine for first-time offenders of the state texting law, a penalty that can double for serial offenders. Minors pay higher … [Read more...]
Ohio: Cell phone laws, legislation
September 16, 2008 by 79 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging news: A hands-free law with primary enforcement is now in full effect in Ohio -- and ticketing is under way. "Beginning today, if law enforcement sees a driver distracted by their phone, that driver can now be immediately pulled over," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Oct. 5, 2023, at the end of a six-month warning period. Fines from $150 (first offense) to $500, plus points vs. the driver's license. Holding cell phone to ear for a call allowed, but not entry of a phone number. The law officially went into effect April 4. The hands-free law of 2023 originated with HB … [Read more...]
South Carolina: Cell phone laws, legislation
September 9, 2008 by 11 Comments
Cell phone, texting news: Tickets and fines now await South Carolina's distracted drivers. The 180-day warning period that began Sept. 1 has ended. State Rep. Bill Taylor has been pushing for a hands-free law since at least 2017. He finally succeeded with House Bill 3276, the vehicle of choice for hands-free advocates in 2025. The plan cleared the House in mid-April 2025 and the Senate on May 1. The state texting & driving law took effect in December 2014. It applies to all drivers and comes with a $25 fine for first-time violators. The law does not affect use of cell phones for … [Read more...]
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