texting while driving News

Texas Driver Who Collided with Church Bus Had Taken Pills, Records Show

A 20-year-old man whose pickup collided with a church minibus last month in rural Texas, killing 13 people, told state troopers he had taken prescription medication before driving and had marijuana in his truck, according to court records. The records …

Iowa Lawmakers Pass Tougher Texting and Driving Law

The Legislature has sent the governor a bill that would let police officers stop and ticket drivers who were texting while driving. The legislation approved by the House would take effect July 1 if Gov. Terry Branstad were to sign …

New York Begins New Push to Stop Distracted Driving

New York is launching a statewide campaign against distracted driving as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said state and local police will be stepping up patrols and checkpoints through Monday in Operation Hang Up. …

Investigators Collect Phone Data in Texas Bus Crash

A federal investigator said her agency has collected cellphone records from a pickup driver who a witness said admitted to being distracted by texting before he collided with a church bus killing 13 people. National Transportation Safety Board Investigator-in-charge Jennifer …

Driver of Truck in Texas Bus Crash Admits Texting Behind the Wheel

A witness says the driver of a pickup truck that collided with a church minibus in rural Texas, killing 13 people, acknowledged he had been texting while driving — highlighting the dangers of sending messages on smartphones while behind the …

Washington Commissioner Supporting Strict Distracted Driving Bills

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is advocating for two distracted driving bills that the state Legislature is considering. House Bill 1371, sponsored by Rep. Jessyn Farrell, and Senate Bill 5289, sponsored by Sen. Ann Rivers, would make the law about …

Statewide Ban on Texting While Driving Passed by Texas House

The Texas House on March 15 passed a statewide ban on texting while driving. Members voted 113-32 to tentatively approve the legislation, which will get a final vote in the House before it can proceed to the Senate. A Senate …

Texas Bill Banning Texting While Driving Statewide Goes to Senate

A bill that passed the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee on March 13 aims to restrict texting while driving statewide. While several cities already have ordinances that restrict texting while behind the wheel, SB 31 by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini …

Montana Bill Would Overturn Bans on Using Cellphones While Driving

A Great Falls, Mont. lawmaker has introduced a bill that would prevent local governments from placing bans on talking or texting on a cellphone while driving. Republican Rep. Jeremy Trebas tells the Great Falls Tribune that studies have not shown …

Teen Traffic Deaths Continue to Rise in Utah

More Utah teens have died in car crashes during the first nine months of this year than in all of 2015, according to new state data. A total of 26 teenagers have died on Utah roads so far in 2016, …