SB 165 – Applies ban on using cell phones for text messaging while driving a motor vehicle to all drivers

• Sponsor: Schupp
• LR Number: 0309S.01I
• Committee: Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety
• Last Action: 1/11/2017 - Second Read and Referred S Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee
• Journal Page: S108
• Effective Date: August 28, 2017

Current Bill Summary

SB 165 – Currently, only drivers under the age of 22 and drivers of commercial motor vehicles are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones to send, read, or write text messages or electronic messages. This act applies the ban on use of hand-held cell phones to all drivers for the purposes of sending, reading, or writing text messages. Cell phones are permitted to be used by drivers in a hands-free voice activated mode.

This act is identical to SB 821 (2016), SB 274 (2015), and HB 1964 (2014), and is similar to HB 1542 (2016), HB 1544 (2016), HB 1671 (2016), HB 1377 (2016), HB 1423 (2016), HB 1986 (2016), SB 569 (2016), SB 1015 (2016), SB 3 (2015), and SB 840 (2014).

ERIC VANDER WEERD