Mobile Cell Phones / Driving

[ccarcher]

With all the changes in legislation in the UK regarding using a mobile cell phone whilst driving

just wondering what the regulations are in the US on this same issue, and the penalties one can expect

[JoRo]

It appears that everyone uses their mobiles while driving in the US and few people have hands free equipment. If there is any legislation it is not enforced!
Joyce

[florida4sun]

You can get tickets and phones for uses phones while driving. If you get caught by a trooper then do not expect any mercy (and rightly so).

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ccarcher
With all the changes in legislation in the UK regarding using a mobile cell phone whilst driving

just wondering what the regulations are in the US on this same issue, and the penalties one can expect
[/quote]

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote: You can get tickets and phones for uses phones while driving. If you get caught by a trooper then do not expect any mercy (and rightly so).
[/quote]

The position varies across the USA with the majority allowing cell phone use.

The cut and pasted table below does not come out well; but for Florida it reads:

Florida. Partial(Ban)
State Attorney General said that cities can set local regulations - July 2001. Overturned by Governor Bush.

My understanding is that there is currently(and unfortunately) no ban anywhere in Florida - although I am sure martin will correct me if my understanding is incorrect.

[u]State</u> [u]Banned </u> ? [u]Notes</u>

National Being debated Bills being debated in the Federal government that will override local legislation

Alabama No
Alaska No
Arkansas Partial School bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone.
Arizona Partial A bill to introduce a ban was lost by a 4-3 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee. Bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone
California Yes Bill to introduce ban failed Feb 1998. Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, violators face a US$20 fine for a first offense and a US$50 ticket for subsequent infractions.
Colorado No Teens with restricted licenses are banned - but can only be stoped for another violation first
Connecticut Yes Banned with effect from Oct. 2005 - teens are also forbidden from using handsfree kits while moving
Delaware No A driver can already be prosecuted for "inattentive driving" - which can include using a cell phone. Studies into the issue have been requested
District of Columbia Yes Banned from July 2004
Florida Partial State Attorney General said that cities can set local regulations - July 2001. Overturned by Governor Bush..
Georgia Partial School bus drivers banned from using cell phones while driving. DeKalb County has fines when crashes can be attributed to driving while using a cellphone.
Hawaii Being debated A bill has been introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Sen. Joseph Souki, D-Wailuku-Waiehu.
Idaho No
Illinois Partial School bus drivers are banned - Chicago has passed a bill banning driving while using a phone, fines of US$50 per infraction.
Indiana No Ban proposed by State Sen. Rose Antich Carr - Jan 2004
Iowa Being debated
Kansas No Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000
Kentucky No
Louisiana Being debated Study into the effects of a ban underway
Maine Partial Minors and those on learner driving licenses may not use a cell phone while driving
Maryland No Bill to ban dropped Feb. 2001. New proposal in the House, proposed by Delegates Arnick and Mandel
Massachusetts Partial Bill for most users pending - but bus drivers already banned. Drivers required to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel while holding a phone.
Michigan No
Minnesota Partial Teenagers and provisional drivers are banned - $100 fine plus delays in license upgrades for offenders
Mississippi No Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.
Missouri No
Montana No
Nebraska No Bill planned by State Sen. Jim Cudaback - Jan 2004
Nevada No State bill to introduce ban failed April 1999. Local bill in Clark County also blocked Nov. 2001. Nevada state passed bill banning local regulations, March 2003.
New Hampshire Partial Not explicitly banned, but you can be prosecuted if using a cellphone when involved in an driving accident.
New Jersey Yes Banned from July 2004 - the fine is up to US$250
New Mexico Partial Being debated - local ban in the city of Santa Fe
New York Yes Ban effective from Nov. 2001
North Carolina Being debated Study into the effects of cell phone usage while driving being carried out.
North Dakota Being debated Bill proposed by Sen. Harvey Tallackson, D-Grafton, Feb 2005
Ohio Partial The City of Cleveland is discussing a ban. Ban in place in Brooklyn.
Oklahoma No Bill to introduce ban failed in May 1999. Le

[pieman790]

Our friends who live in Florida told us that you expect a large on the spot fine for using a cell phone whilst driving in Florida.

[Pegasus928]

At the end of the day when I am on holiday - be it Florida or anywhere else - the chances of me being in the car by myself and in a position where I just HAVE to take that call are slim to nil. In all fairness I think the same applies to this country as well. I often see people walking around town with their blue tooth headsets on and wonder if they have ever looked at themselves in a mirror - and seen all the other people stood behind them laughing [msnsmile2]

Pegasus

[millie]

Hear an interesting chat on the radio about this yesterday. It was with someone from the body who research the dangers of driving whilst on a mobile. They looked at drivers in a simulator in different conditions. Some were not on the phone, some on a handsfree set, some holding the phone and some not on the phone but at the legal limit for alcohol.

He concluded that it actually did not make any difference whether you held the phone or not - it was almost the distraction that caused the problem. The drivers with the alcohol drove at the same level as the ones on the phone.

What was interesting was that he said that it made no improvement on safety to use a hands free set. It was the distraction of the conversation that was the issue. So - he was challenged by the interviewer and asked if that means that all conversation in cars should also be banned. He tried to say that people in the car can judge the situation you are in and not expect an answer.

Not sure myself. I use a handsfree as if I had to pull over for every call I would not get any work done. (I don't wear it outside the car though!!). I think that smoking is more dangerous. Its on fire after all!!!!!
L

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Our friends who live in Florida told us that you expect a large on the spot fine for using a cell phone whilst driving in Florida.[/quote]

Neil & Cathy

Well I have looked all over the websites and it seems quite clear that only 4 US States ban Cell phone use when driving; and Florida isn't one of them.

Apart from School bus drivers the only restriction is that if using a 'hands free' phone you can't have both ears covered with a headset.

I have also tonight spoken to friends who live in Florida and they are adamant that there is no ban. The local police(tel 321 773 3030 if you want to check) also assure me that cell phone use while driving anywhere in Florida is not banned.

Like most people I would be very pleased if it was banned. Nothing worries me more than a huge SUV sitting 6 feet from my rear bumper with the driver on the phone.

So I will bet you a virtual pint that your friends are wrong.

However I would be more that happy to lose that bet.

Care to take the bet?

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Let's not let this simple question degenerate into one of those heated debates please. [msnsmile]

[Lyn]

As with anything else, if in doubt don't do it.