Those who text and drive in Ireland are out of luck. They're now facing some of the planet's toughest distracted driving penalties, with fines for first offenses topping out at 1,000 Euros -- about $1,400. The penalties, which took effect May 1, increase to a maximum €2,000 for a second offense. Three-time offenders are looking at €3,000 and a possible three months in jail (offenses within a year). Offenders will have to show up in court, instead of taking roadside penalty points. The changes also apply to those "accessing information" (Web sites) via smartphones. The new fines do not … [Read more...]
2014’s new distracted driving laws
December 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
New distracted driving laws greet the New Year in a handful of states, notably Illinois, Oregon, Vermont and California. In Illinois, holding a cell phone while driving becomes illegal Jan. 1. The state already prohibits text messaging while driving. Fines range from $75 (first offense) to $150. In Oregon, fines for texting and using handheld mobile phones while driving increase to as much as $500. Most violators will pay $250 plus fees for texting and cell phone convictions -- less than the new maximum. The old maximum fine, $250, will be doubled as of Jan. 1. In Vermont, penalties … [Read more...]
Adults more distracted than teens
December 13, 2013 by 1 Comment
Teens often get the rap for the menace of distracted driving, but the evidence suggests thirtysomethings are by far the worst offenders. When asked by researchers about their cell phone use in the past month, 43 percent of adults ages 25-39 said they did "fairly often" or regularly while driving, compared with only 20 percent of teenagers. Across all age groups, two out of three drivers said they used a cell phone while driving in the past month. Among drivers under the age of 60, teens said they used cell phones less than any other age group. Since the study was self-reported, the … [Read more...]
New Jersey’s new distracted driving bills
November 27, 2013 by 1 Comment
New Jersey's lawmakers created a series of distracted driving laws during the current legislative session, and they still haven't hit the brakes. A trio of distracted driving measures have been put before New Jersey's Assembly and Senate in the final weeks of the 2012-2013 session. The Assembly Transportation Committee on Nov. 25 approved a bill from John Wisniewski that would outlaw any activity "unrelated to the actual operation of a motor vehicle" that distracts the driver. Wisniewski's measure also would clarify that holding a mobile phone near one's ear is cause for police to write … [Read more...]
Florida’s texting law already targeted
October 2, 2013 by 1 Comment
Florida's debate over distracted driving is far from over, even though the Sunshine State finally has a ban on texting while driving. The new text messaging law, which went into effect Oct. 1, isn't getting much respect from safety experts, survivors groups, the press and some lawmakers, many of whom cite the ban's secondary-enforcement status as weak and ineffectual. State Sen. Maria Sachs (pictured) used the bully pulpit of day 1 of the texting law to propose an upgrade to primary enforcement, which allows police to stop and cite violators for that reason alone. Secondary enforcement … [Read more...]
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