Cell phone Laws about Driving

09/28/2006
California Passes Cell Phone Law
Relevant Jurisdictions: Federal, California

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that prohibits the use of handheld mobile phones while driving in the state.

Cell phone Laws about Driving

Story Published: May 11, 2007 at 4:42 PM PDT Story Updated: May 12, 2007 at 4:48 PM PDT

By Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Hang up or pay up: Using your hands to talk on the phone or tap out a text message while behind the wheel of a car will be illegal next year.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the measures into law Friday, flanked by children who suffered serious injuries after being hit by distracted drivers.

Under the new laws, drivers who read and compose text messages or talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device could face a $101 ticket. The text-messaging ban takes effect Jan. 1; the cell-phone law will be enforced starting in July 2008..

Cindy Baker-Williams and her son Billy were among those who stood by as Gregoire signed the bills. Billy, 12, suffered a brain injury four years ago while walking to the school bus. Witnesses to the crash said the driver was talking on a cell phone at the time, Baker-Williams said.

"It's a very emotional time," she said. "Behind this bill, we see faces of people in our community who hopefully will never have to go through a pedestrian-car accident."

Billy Williams, who was in a coma for nearly a month and suffered injuries to his brain's speech centers, now helps his mom keep an eye out for distracted drivers.

 Cell phone Laws about Driving 

 Cell phone usage laws are sweeping the nation. Beginning with New York, New Jersey, DC and Chicago, states across the US are adopting laws restricting the use of cellular devices while operating a vehicle. In a period of time leading up to April 2004, New York had issued a stunning 269,230 tickets to violators. Ranging around $100 a ticket, the state racked in over $27 million! Upon noticing New York’s stab at safety, other states followed not mere years later. While perhaps meager in comparison, around 10% of the United States regulates cellular usage, while in contrast 45 other developed nations have already tackled the issue.

Below is a rough overview of states in the USA that have adopted regulations:
Arizona: School bus drivers may not use cell phones while driving, except for emergencies.
Arkansas: School bus drivers may not use cell phones while driving, except for emergencies.
California: Rental cars with cellular phone equipment must include written operating instructions concerning its safe use. State legislature approved cell phone and driving studies.
Connecticut: School bus drivers may not use cell phones while driving, except for emergencies.
Delaware: State legislature approved cell phone and driving studies.
DC: Hands free cell phone devices required while operating a vehicle aside from emergencies.
Florida: Cellular phone use is permitted as long as it provides sound through one ear and allows surrounding sound to be heard with the other ear. State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions on use in motor vehicles.
Illinois: School bus drivers may not use cell phones while driving, except for emergencies.
Louisiana: State legislature approved cell phone and driving studies.
Maine: Persons with instructional permits or persons under 18 with restricted licenses may not operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone.
Massachusetts: Cellular phone use is permitted as long as it doesn’t interfere with the operation of the vehicle and one hand remains on the steering wheel at all times. School bus drivers may not use cell phones while operating a school bus, except for emergencies. Hands free cell phone devices required while operating a vehicle in Brookline.
Mississippi: State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions on use in motor vehicles.
New Hampshire: Dealt with as a distracted driving issue; state enacted a comprehensive distracted driving law.
New Jersey: Hands free cell phone devices required while operating a vehicle in Marboro and Carteret. State legislature approved cell phone and driving studies. Use is prohibited for drivers under 21 while operating a moving vehicle, aside from emergency situations, on a Graduated license permit or provisional license. School bus drivers may not use cell phones while driving, also except for emergencies.
New Mexico: Hands free cell phone devices required while operating a vehicle within the city limits of Santa Fe. Police officers currently are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones while driving in cruisers. Stat legislature approved cell phone and driving studies.
New York: Hands free cell phone devices required while operating a vehicle. State legislature approved cell phone and driving studies. New York City prohibits taxicab drivers from using cell phones while driving.
North Carolina: Data collection analysis currently being done.
Ohio: Hands free cell phone devices required while operating a vehicle in Brooklyn.
Oklahoma: State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions on use in motor vehicles.
Oregon: State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions on use in motor vehicles.
Pennsylvania: Hands free cell phone devices required while operating a vehicle in Conshohocken, Lebanan, Hilltown Township, York and west Conshohocken. State legislature approved cell phone and driving studies.
Rhone Island: School bus drivers may not use cell phones while driving, except for emergencies.
Tennessee: School bus drivers may not use cell phones while driving, except for emergencies.
Virgina: State legislature approved cell phone and driving studies.