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In Alabama, laws concerning talking on a cell phone or text messaging depend on the individual city. Each jurisdiction determines the extent of cell phone and text messaging use while driving. The state regulates use for teens who have just started driving.
Several states have laws banning drivers from using their cell phone while driving. The National Safety Council estimates over 1 million car accidents in the United States each year are caused by drivers using cell phones. Penalties for breaking the cell phone law vary by state, but most include hefty fees and jail time. With all the known risks involved in cell phone use while driving, there are still valid arguments for using a cell phone in the car.
Illinois enacted new driving laws in 2008 that targeted teen drivers and people who get behind the wheel while drunk. The measures included Senate Bills 140, 172 and 585. Supporters said the new laws would make Illinois roads safer for all motorists.
Laws concerning driving while on a cell phone have become a hot debate. While many drivers can agree that driving while talking on a cell phone is a dangerous distraction, many also do not want to lose their right to do so. While there is no official law in place prohibiting talking on a cell phone while driving in Arizona, legislation is currently being reviewed that would prohibit drivers from text messaging while operating a motor vehicle.
Due to increased cell phone use and the correlation between drivers using cell phones and traffic accidents, many states have adopted cell phone driving laws. These laws ban phone calls made on cell phones or text messaging while driving. Also, police officers may cite those who are caught violating these laws. Several states, including the state of Pennsylvania, have been unable to pass statewide legislation on this matter but have allowed municipalities to enact local legislation prohibiting phone activity while driving.
The Ontario distracted driving law took effect October 26, 2009. The law prohibits drivers from texting, talking, dialing or emailing using a hand-held phone or communications device. The law also makes it illegal for drivers to view the screen of laptops, DVD players or other devices not related to driving. The penalty is a minimum fine of C$155.
The use of cell phones, and most especially text-messaging, while driving has drawn a great deal of attention. Several states have passed legislation making it illegal to operate a hand held cell phone while driving. It is illegal in almost all areas to text while driving. Arkansas has several different laws on the books regarding cell phones and texting while driving.
Keep your eyes on the road, maintain focus while driving and always keep your hands on the steering wheel. These are three rules that every department of motor vehicles (DMV) across the United States expect drivers to follow. Cell phones, according to the California DMV, "cause distracted driving and lead to vehicle crashes." These distractions led many state legislatures to limit the use of phones while driving. The laws governing cell phone use vary from state to state but each maintain a similar principle: keeping drivers aware if they do decide to talk on their cell phones.
Every state has a different version of the same basic law--that using a cell phone while driving is illegal. Some states include texting as well as talking. Some states only mention hand-held devices, leaving out hands-free cell phones. Some states require only drivers below a certain age to go without their phones. It is a good idea to know what the details of your own state's laws are so that you don't risk a hefty ticket if you get caught using your phone on the road. A link to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the Resources section has…
On January 1, 2010, the Aloha State enacted Section 15-24.23 of the Hawaii County Law. Under this provision, drivers in Hawaii may not use any type of mobile electronic device, particularly cell phones, while driving without also using a hands-free device. The statute specifies that "using a mobile electronic device" refers to the act of holding a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
Since April 1, 2008, the province of Quebec, Canada, prohibits drivers from using cellular phones or other hand-held devices while driving. According to the Société de l'assurance automobile Québec, Quebec's Department of Motor Vehicles, breaking this law results in a $115 to $154 fine and three demerit points added to your driving record. There has been a steady increase in fines given to drivers for breaking this law since it was implemented, but despite the increase Sophie Gagnon, public relations director of the Canadian Automobile Association of Quebec, does not believe the amount of money for each fine should increase.…
Forced to promote driver safety on state roadways, California passed legislation to curtail cell phone use while driving. Codified into the vehicle code, this law has been in effect since July 1, 2008, and is scheduled for modification in 2011. Since California's adoption of this law, other states have enacted their own versions for use on their roadways. Learn the law for cell phone usage before you are stopped for the violation.
Section 23123 of the California Vehicle Code prohibits using a hand-held cell phone while driving in San Diego or anywhere else in the state. Drivers must use a hands-free device, such as a wireless headset or speakerphone, if they need to use a cell phone while driving.
California law prohibits use of a hand-held cell phone while driving. Hands-free cell phone use is permitted, but not for all drivers or in all circumstances. The statute, more commonly known as the hands-free phone law, falls under section 23123 of the California Vehicle Code.
Police reports on traffic accidents usually describe the driver's circumstances, including whether anything distracted him. Distractions might include talking or texting on a cell phone. To combat distracted driving and the accidents it can cause, many states have instituted laws restricting or prohibiting the use of cell phone handsets and texting while driving.
Ontario is one of many jurisdictions adopting legislation to deter the use of a cell phone while operating a vehicle. Since October 26, 2009, Ontario has banned the use of cell phones while driving, and police began issuing tickets in February 2010. According to the Government of Ontario, several studies have shown an increased danger in driving while using a cell phone. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation highlights disturbing statistics associated with cell phone use while driving. For example, when a driver takes his eyes off the road for two or more seconds, the risk of a crash doubles, and…
Georgia has specific laws regarding the use of cell phones while driving. There are a number of safety studies that have found that people are much more prone to accidents when talking on their cell phones while driving, and the laws in the state of Georgia are designed to help keep drivers and passengers safe.
Like a growing number of states, New York has enacted its own laws governing cell phone use while driving. And like many states, New York no longer allows motorists to talk or text with their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. If you drive in the state, you need to learn the basics of these laws. Otherwise you won't know when you've violated New York state statute.
Chicago has established cell phone laws so that drivers can pay better attention to the road instead of a phone conversation. The city enforces cell phone laws to any driver, whether they're residents of Chicago, so keep off your phone entirely when driving in the Windy City to avoid a fine.
Using a cell phone while driving can be a dangerous habit. Talking on the phone or sending text messages while operating a vehicle can distract the driver and keep their hands away from the wheel and their eyes off the road. Many states have started tackling the public safety issue, and law enforcement has begun to crack down on individuals who choose to use a cell phone while driving. Michigan is one state that is beginning to take a look at the issue and taking action to prevent traffic accidents.
Leave the cell phone in the purse or phone holster when driving Minnesota roads or risk a traffic citation. Minnesota lawmakers have enacted legislation aimed at reducing risky driving behavior that leads to distractions and traffic accidents. The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety claims that 60,000 accidents between 2006 and 2008 were caused by drivers who were distracted. Those accidents caused 200 deaths. Cell phone legislation has come out of lawmakers' concerns that use of electronic devices to text during driving is a "rising public safety concern." Use of a cell phone or electronic device can delay a driver's reaction…
In an effort to reduce the number of vehicle accidents, the Commonwealth of Virginia proposed a ban on certain forms of cell phone usage while driving. On March 30, 2009, Virginia bill HB 1876, restricting the use of cell phones (hand-held personal communication devices) while driving, was signed into law by Governor Tim Kaine and went into effect on July 1, 2009.
Florida currently does not have any laws regarding driving and cell phone usage. Cell phone usage applies to both talking on the phone and sending text messages. However, the Florida Highway Patrol does outline some guidelines to follow for drivers with cell phones.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that cell phone use while driving constitutes the number one distraction for motorists while driving, and has resulted in many preventable deaths and accidents. As a result, many states, including New York and New Jersey, have banned drivers from using cell phones. Pennsylvania currently mandates that police investigating an accident determine whether or not a motorist was using a cellular phone when the accident occurred.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the State of Ohio is currently one of the few jurisdictions that does not have laws enacted that deal with the use of cell phones while driving. But there are currently several bills are making their way through the Ohio legislature. The can be divided into three different classes: hand-held ban efforts, texting ban efforts and hands-free ban efforts. Ohio does currently allow local municipalities to pass their own ordinances to regulate telephone use while driving. Some of these are primary offense laws while others are secondary offense laws. Primary offenses give…
Over 75 percent of the people in the United States have cars, so knowing and understanding the driving laws is important. Many drivers take trips to other states and thus need to be familiar with the laws of those states.
There are no federal laws on cell-phone use. However, a number of states are cracking down on cell-phone use. These laws have been passed in response to the amount of car accidents per year involving cell phone use.
