S.B. 253

1

DISTRACTED DRIVER AMENDMENTS
2 2014 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart
5 House Sponsor: Don L. Ipson
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies the Traffic Code by amending handheld wireless communication
10 device provisions.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . amends the list of activities taking place within a vehicle during a moving traffic
14 violation that constitute careless driving;
15 . amends what devices are included as examples of a handheld wireless
16 communication device;
17 . amends the exceptions to the prohibition on using a handheld wireless
18 communication device; and
19 . makes technical corrections.
20 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21 None
22 Other Special Clauses:
23 None
24 Utah Code Sections Affected:
25 AMENDS:
26 41-6a-1715 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 157
27 41-6a-1716 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapter 193

28
29 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
30 Section 1. Section 41-6a-1715 is amended to read:
31 41-6a-1715. Careless driving defined and prohibited.
32 (1) A person operating a motor vehicle is guilty of careless driving if the person:
33 (a) commits two or more moving traffic violations under this chapter in a series of acts
34 within a single continuous period of driving covering three miles or less in total distance; or
35 (b) commits a moving traffic violation under this chapter other than a moving traffic
36 violation under Part 6, Speed Restrictions, while being distracted by one or more activities
37 taking place within the vehicle that are not related to the operation of a motor vehicle,
38 including:
39 [(i) using a wireless telephone or other electronic device unless the person is using
40 hands-free talking and listening features while operating the motor vehicle;]
41 [(ii)] (i) searching for an item in the vehicle; or
42 [(iii)] (ii) attending to personal hygiene or grooming.
43 (2) A violation of this section is a class C misdemeanor.
44 (3) In addition to the penalty provided under this section or any other section, a judge
45 may order the revocation of the convicted person's driver license if the violation causes or
46 results in the death of another person in accordance with Subsection 53-3-218 (6).
47 Section 2. Section 41-6a-1716 is amended to read:
48 41-6a-1716. Prohibition on using a handheld wireless communication device
49 while operating a moving motor vehicle -- Exceptions -- Penalties.
50 (1) As used in this section:
51 (a) (i) "Handheld wireless communication device" means a handheld device used for
52 the transfer of information without the use of electrical conductors or wires.
53 (ii) "Handheld wireless communication device" includes a:
54 (A) wireless telephone;
55 [(B) personal digital assistant;]
56 (B) handheld device capable of receiving or sending data or text; or
57 (C) pager[; or].
58 [(D) text messaging device.]

59 (b) (i) "Text message" means to manually communicate in the form of electronic text
60 or one or more electronic images sent by the actor from a handheld wireless communication
61 device to another person's handheld wireless communication device or computer by addressing
62 the communication to the person's telephone number.
63 (ii) "Text message" includes manually composing a communication in the form of
64 electronic text or an electronic image by the actor even if the electronic text or image has not
65 been sent to another person.
66 (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person may not use a handheld wireless
67 communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this state to:
68 (a) text message;
69 (b) manually communicate through an electronic mail system;
70 (c) manually enter data into a handheld wireless communication device;
71 (d) send data, read text, or view images on a handheld wireless communication device;
72 or
73 (e) manipulate an application from a handheld wireless communication device.
74 (3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit a person from using a handheld wireless
75 communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle:
76 [(a) when making or receiving a telephone call;]
77 [(b) when using a handheld wireless communication device for global positioning or
78 navigation services;]
79 [(c)] (a) during a medical emergency;
80 [(d)] (b) when reporting a safety hazard or requesting assistance relating to a safety
81 hazard;
82 [(e)] (c) when reporting criminal activity or requesting assistance relating to a criminal
83 activity;
84 [(f) when providing roadside or medical assistance;]
85 [(g)] (d) when used by a law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel
86 acting within the course and scope of the law enforcement officer's or emergency service
87 personnel's employment; or
88 [(h)] (e) to operate[:] hands-free or voice operated technology, whether or not the
89 technology is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.

90 [(i) hands-free or voice operated technology; or]
91 [(ii) a system that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.]
92 (4) A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a:
93 (a) class C misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $100; or
94 (b) class B misdemeanor if the person:
95 (i) has also inflicted serious bodily injury upon another as a proximate result of using a
96 handheld wireless communication device for text messaging or electronic mail communication
97 while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this state; or
98 (ii) has a prior conviction under this section, that is within three years of:
99 (A) the current conviction under this section; or
100 (B) the commission of the offense upon which the current conviction is based.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-25-14 2:16 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel