SB 1015 – Expands the prohibition on the use of hand-held communications devices while operating a motor vehicle

• Sponsor: Nasheed
• LR Number: 6294S.01I
• Committee: Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety
• Last Action: 2/4/2016 - Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee
• Journal Page: S247
• Effective Date: August 28, 2016

Current Bill Summary

SB 1015 - Currently, only drivers under the age of 21 and drivers of commercial motor vehicles are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones to send, read, or write text messages or electronic messages. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles are further prohibited from using hand-held cell phones to make telephone calls. This act expands the ban on use of hand-held cell phones to all drivers for the purposes of both sending, reading, or writing text messages or electronic messages and making telephone calls. Cell phones are permitted to be used by drivers in a hands-free or voice activated mode, which includes the use of a headset.

This act is identical to SB 3 (2015) and SB 840 (2014). This act is similar to HB 1377 (2016), HB 1423 (2016), HB 1542 (2016), HB 1544 (2016), HB 1671 (2016), HB 1986 (2016), SB 569 (2016), and SB 821 (2016).

KAYLA HAHN