Bill > S485

Introduced Session

This bill increases the fines for talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving and establishes the "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund." Under the bill, a person who unlawfully talks or texts on a hand held wireless communications device while driving is to be fined $600 and assessed two motor vehicle penalty points for a first offense; $800 and three penalty points for a second offense; and $1,000 and four penalty points for a third offense. In addition, a person who causes an accident resulting in death or serious bodily injury as a result of sending a text message is subject to a two-year license suspension. The bill also establishes the "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund" to be funded by fines for unlawfully talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving. Specifically, $100 of each fine imposed and collected for a violation is to be forwarded to the State Treasurer to deposit in the fund. The fund is to be administered by the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. The division is to use monies from the fund to provide grants to municipalities and counties with demonstrated distracted driver safety problems and to establish an education campaign on the dangers of cell phone use and text messaging while driving. The bill defines "distracted driving" as the inattention of a motor vehicle operator that occurs when the operator diverts attention away from the driving task to focus on another activity including, but not limited to, using a wireless telephone, electronic communication device, or navigation system; interacting with passengers; eating, drinking, or smoking; and adjusting controls and other equipment within the vehicle The number of injuries and deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers is on the rise. It is the sponsor's intent to deter this dangerous behavior by increasing the fines for unlawfully talking or texting while driving and to use these monies to educate drivers about this growing threat to the safety of the motoring public.

Committee Categories

Jim Holzapfel (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document