cell phone ban News

S.C. Bill Banning Handheld Cellphones While Driving Advances

A bill banning drivers in South Carolina from holding cellphones in their hands passed its first hurdle. The proposal would fine drivers $200 for using a cellphone or other electronic device in their hands. Drivers could talk on the phone …

Massachusetts Governor Proposes Traffic Safety Measures

A wide-ranging traffic safety proposal filed Tuesday by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker would ban drivers from using handheld cellphones and give police increased power to enforce the state’s seatbelt requirements. The bill also calls for mandatory speed limit reductions in …

Travelers: Nearly Half of Philadelphia Area Drivers Distracted by Texts, Emails

Mobile devices continue to distract drivers in the greater Philadelphia area. Travelers recently commissioned a survey of 435 of them and found that 75 percent use a mobile device while driving, with 91 percent of millennials, 79 percent of Gen …

Drivers Ignore Safety Laws, Continue Texting

Safety regulators still have no idea just how deadly the combination of mobile phones and cars can be, but mounting evidence paints a grim picture. The latest disconcerting data come from a massive study by Zendrive, a San Francisco-based startup …

Liberty v. Tyranny: More States Pass Laws Outlawing Cell Phone Use While Driving

Every year, more than 170 billion cell phone texts are sent and received. Each year, an average of 3,000 people die and 450,000 are injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers. Ten percent of all drivers who are 15 …

Few Citations After New Illinois Cellphone Ban Goes Into Effect

Illinois police departments say officers are using discretion about whether to cite drivers who are breaking the state’s new ban on hand-held cellphone use while driving. The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reports law enforcement agencies appear to be giving drivers latitude if …

Wisconsin Legislation Seeks Cell Phone Ban in Construction Zones

Drivers would be barred from talking on their cellphones while in a construction zone under a bill being circulated in the Wisconsin state Legislature. Republican Sen. Jerry Petrowski, of Marathon, emailed the bill on Friday seeking co-sponsors. The ban would …

Rhode Island State Police Push to Require Hands-Free Phones

The head of the Rhode Island State Police says they are pushing to require the use of hands-free devices when using a cellphone while driving. Col. Steven O’Donnell tells WLNE-TV that he will ask the General Assembly to make it …

Utah Bans Teen Drivers From Using Cellphones

Before she pulls out of the driveway, Stefhany Robles switches her phone on silent or turns it off. The 16-year-old junior at Salt Lake City’s West High School says the distraction isn’t worth shooting off a text or answering a …

Michigan Governor Signs Cellphone Ban for Novice Drivers

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation prohibiting novice drivers from using a cellphone while behind the wheel. The bill applies to holders of Level 1 licenses, who must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or another driver at least …