Texting and Driving News

550 Cited in Minnesota for Texting While Driving During Crackdown

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says law enforcement officers across Minnesota cited 550 people for texting while driving during a recent 10-day crackdown on distracted driving. The enhanced enforcement campaign by more than 400 departments this month also netted …

Insurers Would Get Reports on Texting Drivers Under Connecticut Bill

Frustrated by drivers who ignore Connecticut’s ban on talking and texting on hand-held cellphones, some state legislators want insurance companies to know when their customers break the law. Lawmakers hope the prospect of higher insurance rates will finally encourage people …

125 West Virginians Caught Texting While Driving

In the first 10 months since a West Virginia law banned driving while texting or talking on a hand-held cell phone, 125 offenders have been convicted of doing just that. The Charleston Gazette said the number of convictions was based …

Michigan Driving Simulator Demonstrates Distraction Hazards

Gleishya Morales nearly tore up the track during a recent vehicle simulator exercise on texting and driving at the Monroe Township Fire Station. While driving a golf cart owned by the Michigan State Police, she drove over a couple of …

Alabama Texting Ban Passes House Committee

An Alabama House committee has approved a bill that would prohibit sending text messages on a cell phone while driving a motor vehicle. The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee approved the bill by Republican Rep. Jim McClendon of …

Alabama Cities Issue Few Texting Tickets

Alabama authorities say a ban on texting while driving has produced only one citation in Decatur since it took effect two months ago, while a similar ban has not yielded any tickets in Athens in the month it’s been on …

Carmakers Asked to Help Curb Distracted Driving

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will seek help from Detroit automakers next week on his campaign to combat distracted driving. While he has pounded the bully pulpit, held high-profile media events and facilitated a limited texting-and-driving ban over the past …

Delaware Bans Hand-Held Cell Phone Use While Driving

A ban on hand-held cell phone use while driving is taking effect in Delaware. Beginning Sunday, drivers will have to carry on their cell phone conversations using hands-free devices. The law also bans texting while driving, and drivers cannot use …

New Jersey Wants Seat Belt Safety to Click with Teens

New Jersey will begin a new effort next year to try to improve on a grim reality: Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults, the age group least likely to wear seat belts. …

Kentucky Traffic Deaths Lowest in Years

Traffic deaths in Kentucky are on pace to be the lowest this year since at least the early 1990s. As of last Wednesday, there were 739 traffic fatalities in Kentucky, according to the state highway safety office’s web site. That’s …