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Ban
on texting while driving takes effect Thursday, July 15, 2010
Ban extends to cell phone use for 16- and 17-year-old drivers
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 14, 2010) – Governor Steve Beshear’s
ongoing effort to make Kentucky roads safer takes a big step
on Thursday, July 15, when a new law takes effect to ban texting
for all drivers and cell phone use for drivers under 18. Kentucky
recorded more than 57,000 crashes last year – and more than
200 fatalities – attributed to driver distraction and inattention.
“I was proud to support and sign this law into effect,
and strongly believe this will further our efforts to reduce
fatalities on Kentucky roadways,” Gov. Beshear said. “Safety
is a top priority of my administration, and this law will help
increase awareness of the dangers of texting while driving and
encourage drivers to stay focused on the road.”
The law bans texting for drivers of all ages while the
vehicle is in motion. For drivers over 18, it allows the use
of global positioning devices and reading, selecting or entering
a telephone number or name for the purpose of making a phone
call. Texting is allowed only to report illegal activity or to
request medical or emergency aid.
“We are convinced that this new law will save lives,”
said Acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock. “The
message to drivers is to eliminate distractions and stay focused
on the road. Driving a motor vehicle requires your undivided
attention.”
For drivers under 18, use of all personal communication
devices such as cell phones and pagers is not allowed while the
vehicle is in motion. The use of a global positioning system
is allowed, but manually entering information must be completed
while the vehicle is stopped. Emergency and public safety vehicles
are exempt when the use of a personal communication device is
essential to the operator’s official duties.
In December 2009, Gov. Beshear launched his Eyes on the
Road effort --an executive order prohibiting text messaging by
state employees who are driving government-owned vehicles. In
April 2010, Gov. Steve Beshear signed the law banning texting
for all drivers and cell phone use for drivers under 18.
Law enforcement officers will issue warnings until Jan.
1, 2011. On or after Jan. 1, violators will be liable for fines
of $25 on a first offense and $50 on each subsequent offense.
“Even though our total number of fatalities for 2009
was less than 2008, those killed in crashes resulting in distraction,
inattention and cell phone use increased,” said Chuck Geveden,
executive director of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.
“This legislation is sure to save lives, prevent injuries
and cut down on crashes across Kentucky.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving distracted
drivers, and more than a half million were injured. Inexperienced
drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related
fatal crashes.
Information on distracted driving is at http://highwaysafety.ky.gov/.
[MEDIA NOTE: The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety has
a distracted-driving simulator – the “D2 Simulator”
– that is available for your use from 10 a.m. to noon on
Thursday, July 15. The stimulator will be located in the food
center adjacent to the cafeteria at KYTC headquarters, 200 Mero
Street, in Frankfort.] |
WEDNESDAYS
FROM 3:00 TO 7:00 P.M.
City Council Meetings will now be aired
on Insight Cable Ch. 20.
