Senate Bill

BSenate Bill 11

Summary:

Texting while driving is the act of composing, sending, or reading text messages, email, or making other similar use of the internet on a mobile device, while operating a motor vehicle, such as an automobile, truck or train. The practice has been viewed by many people and authorities as dangerous. It has also been ruled as the cause of some motor vehicle accidents and in some places has been outlawed or restricted. Texting while driving leads to increased distraction behind the wheel. Mobile phone use while driving is common, but dangerous. Because of this, some jurisdictions have made the use of a cell phone while driving illegal. Others have enacted laws to ban handheld mobile phone use, but allow use of a hands free device. In some cases restrictions are only directed to minors or those who are newly qualified license holders.

A jurisdiction-wide ban on driving while talking on a hand-held cellphone is in place in 9 states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) and the District of Columbia. Utah has named the offense careless driving. Under the Utah law, no one commits an offense when speaking on a cellphone unless they are also committing some other moving violation other than speeding. Local jurisdictions may or may not need specific state statutory authority to ban cellphones or text messaging. Several of the many localities that have enacted restrictions on cellphone use include: Oahu, HI; Chicago, IL; Brookline, MA; Detroit, MI; Santa Fe, NM; Brooklyn, North Olmstead, and Walton Hills, OH; Conshohocken, Lebanon, and West Conshohocken, PA; Waupaca County, WI; and Cheyenne, WY. The use of all cellphones while driving a school bus is prohibited in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The use of all cellphones by novice drivers is restricted in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 30 states and the District of Columbia. In...