Key Votes

HB 415 - Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving - Key Vote

Kentucky Key Votes

Stages

Family

Issues

Stage Details

Legislation - Signed (Executive) -

Title: Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving

Signed by Governor Steve Beshear
Legislation - Concurrence Vote Passed (House) (86-10) - (Key vote)

Title: Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits the use of personal communication devices while operating a motor vehicle.

Highlights:
-Defines a "personal communication device" as a device capable of two-way audio or text communication that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons or delivers communication to the possessor, including but not limited to a paging device and a cellular phone (Sec. 7). -Prohibits any person operating a motor vehicle that is in motion to write, send, or read text-based communication using a personal communication device to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including but not limited to communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail (Sec. 7). -Authorizes the use of personal communication devices for the following purposes (Sec. 7):
    -The use of a global positioning system feature of a personal communication device; -The reading, selecting, or entering of a telephone number or name in a personal communication device for the purpose of making a phone call; -An operator of an emergency or public safety vehicle, when the use of a personal communication device is an essential function of the operator's official duties; or -The operator of a motor vehicle who writes a text message on a personal communication device to report illegal activity, summon medical help, summon a law enforcement or public safety agency, or prevent injury to a person or property.
-Specifies that any person under the age of 18 shall not operate a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped that is in motion on the traveled portion of a roadway while using a personal communication device, except to summon help in an emergency situation (Sec. 7). -Specifies that any violator shall not be issued a uniform citation, but shall instead receive a courtesy warning prior to January 1, 2011 and fined $25 for the first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense on or after January 1, 2011 (Sec. 7).
See The Voting Record

Legislation - Bill Passed (Senate) (28-0) -
Legislation - Bill Passed (House) (98-0) -
Legislation - Introduced (House) -

Title: Prohibiting Text-Messaging While Driving

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