Kentucky Gov. Beshear to Sign Bill Banning Texting While Driving

Motorists in Kentucky would face fines if caught texting while driving under legislation that lawmakers are heralding as a lifesaving measure.

The legislation cleared its final hurdle last week when the House passed it by a vote of 86-10. It now goes to Gov. Steve Beshear who has already said he intends to sign it into law.

“It’s going to save lives — not only people who are texting but innocent people who are driving around them,” said state Sen. Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville, sponsor of the measure.

The legislation sets fines of $25 for the first offense and $50 for a second offense, plus court courts. It also bars new drivers from using cell phones behind the wheel for the first six months after receiving a driver’s permit.

“I think that’s going to train new generations of inexperienced drivers with better driving habits,” Harper Angel said. “Hopefully they’ll keep that good habit and make their car a no-phone zone entirely.”

The proposed texting ban has been among the most talked about measures being considered by Kentucky lawmakers this year. Beshear is a leading proponent, having called for the legislature to take action on such a measure in his State of the Commonwealth address in January.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia already prohibit drivers from texting behind the wheel, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Another 10 states restrict texting by novice drivers.

The U.S. Transportation Department in February instituted a rule prohibiting truck and bus drivers from sending text messages on hand-held devices while operating commercial vehicles. The prohibition carries potential civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.

The Kentucky measure calls for a phasing in of penalties. Only courtesy warnings will be issued until Jan. 1.

It took some late-session maneuvering by lawmakers to get the measure through the General Assembly. Senators attached the texting ban as an amendment to a House bill filed by state Rep. Tom Riner, D-Louisville. Riner’s bill requires personal service agencies to establish policies under which employees can accept gifts, gratuities or loans from clients.

Riner favored adding the texting ban to his bill.

Beshear released a statement praising its passage.

“The texting bill is a commonsense bill to protect all Kentucky drivers,” he said.

Beshear had issued an executive order earlier this year banning state employees from texting while driving state vehicles. He called the legislative ban “an important safety measure for every person who travels our roads.”

The legislation is House Bill 415.

Topics Legislation Personal Auto