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Friday, June 17, 2011 | 1:35 p.m.
Sun Coverage
CARSON CITY – A bill that bans a motorist from texting or using a hand-held cell phone while driving has been signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Starting in January, a driver caught violating the law will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $50. Until then, law enforcement officials can only issue a warning.
Sen. Shirley Breeden, the sponsor of Senate Bill 140, has said some residents would be mad about the restriction, but she added that it will save lives.
Law enforcement officials pressed for the law, saying inattention by motorists is one of the biggest causes of accidents and traffic deaths.
The law is expected to lead to more purchases of earpieces, since motorists can still use a cell phone without holding the phone to their ear.
A first offense will not be treated as a moving traffic violation. A second offense in a seven-year period carries a $100 fine and the third and subsequent offenses would result in a $250 fine. Those convicted of a third offense in a seven-year period will have their driver’s license suspended for six months.
The law is not like the state's seat belt law, in which a law enforcement officer can only cite a person for failing to wear a seat belt if the motorist is stopped for another violation. The cell phone ban allows an officer to halt a driver and write a citation without another violation being involved.
There are a host of exceptions in the ban. Emergency and law enforcement officials who are acting in the line of duty will not be cited. Neither will a person who is requesting assistance for a medical emergency or reporting a safety hazard or criminal activity.
Also exempted are those who are responding to a situation requiring immediate action in which stopping a car would be inadvisable or dangerous. The law banning cell phone use does not cover a licensed amateur radio operator who is providing communication services during a disaster or is participating in an emergency drill.
Public utility workers are also exempt when responding to an emergency.
No new taxes, yeah, right.
Finally! This law should have been in place a long time ago. While exciting, I don't think that $50 for the first violation is really much of a deterrent. At least, it is a start though ...
I never text and drive because I would have to set my beer down.
"Law enforcement officials pressed for the ban..."
Law enforcement officials are exempted. What about the drivers of the many city, county and state vechicles we see not wearing seatbelts, talking on their cell phones, and even texting; are they exempted, too?
I can just see a Metro officer stopping a county public works employee for this...when pigs fly...
boftx - how is this a tax?!?
No idea how they will enforce this.
I hear ya, casinokid!
Can you operate a cell phone at a stoplight? Even if you have ear buds can you dial a phone number and/or hang up or will simply touching the phone be a violation? Can I hold the phone while using it as a GPS?
This law is great and badly overdue. The fines and penalties are ridiculously light and lenient. Double em, and it might have a more preventative effect.
Studies show that hands free devices don't increase safety. A feel good bill pushed by nosey ninnies and power hungry law enforcement. We know that the first accidents will go to politicians and cops. Of course they won't get any tickets. Nevada State politics is rotten to the core.
The facts, to counter the lies:
http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/201008...
Good news. People on cell phones drive worse then drunk drivers.
Gumballs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPjzfGChG...
I wonder what our freedom-loving governor will choose to ban next. Maybe, walking and chewing gum at the same time?
I hope we get to see the complete Bill.
Sandoval wants to be VP so the Repubs get the Hispanic vote. Hopefully this will come back to haunt him, I thought he was for less government?
Also, law enforcement pushing laws means they get more overtime in court and standing by the side of the road.
I don't have space here to list all the accidents that NHP, Metro, ET AL have been involved in in the last few years. Clean up you own act. We need laws restricting government employees from lobbying the government for more laws, I thought we had the Hatch Act?
abostonboy,
In essence this is a revenue measure. We already have a law on the books covering driving while distracted. However, that is a loosely defined term.
This law allows police (and it will mainly be motorcycle cops) to have a more concrete reason to pull people over who they would otherwise leave alone.
As an aside, I feel that motorcycle cops are in essence tax collectors.
off-duty Officer in his own car, sexting a co-worker: "Hey babe, dja get that photo of my rod?"
Co-worker, on the county dime: "WooHoo, Were ya thinkin of me...in those skivvies ya gave me last week?"
RRRRrrrr (Sirens)
officer: "uh oh, I'm gettin pulled over. 'May i see yer Nevader drivers license?' 'Sure, here. I am an officer, off-duty right now, but doing official work as a matter of fact. I have dispatch on the cell about a case. Here. Talk to her..."
second officer: "This is officer Blue. To whom am I talking?"
Co-worker: "This is Dispatch, Sleezy Magoo. What's up Mr Purple Blue? Tee Hee"
second officer: "No biggie, right now. I was checking on a guy quackin on his cell. I had no idea he was such a suck up as to be chattin with the likes of you. But more on this later. Are ya comin over after work tonite? I hope, I hope..."
co-worker: "Well, maybe. Got any a that skunky bud from the ghetto bust left over for me??"
second officer: "Sure do. Nobody gets it but you baby. See you at 8! Here's your friend."
officer: "Whew, that was close. Thanks fer coverin my a$$."
co-worker: "No problem, sweety. Hey, I can't get over there til maybe after 10 or so but I'll have some more of that skunky sh!t ya go for...and I'll wear my little thong around on yer table. See ya at like 10:30, and hang up and drive before ya get smashed to pieces!"