This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Mon, Feb 9, 2015 at 12:02 PM by lerror.
Representative Jacob L. Anderegg proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
DISTRACTED DRIVER AMENDMENTS

2     
2015 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Jacob L. Anderegg

5     
Senate Sponsor: Stephen H. Urquhart

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill modifies the Traffic Code by amending provisions relating to using a handheld
10     wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     provides and amends definitions;
14          ▸     amends the list of activities taking place within a vehicle during a moving traffic
15     violation that constitute careless driving;
16          ▸     amends the prohibitions on using a handheld wireless communication device while
17     operating a moving motor vehicle;
18          ▸     amends the exceptions to the prohibition on using a handheld wireless
19     communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle;
20          ▸     amends the penalties for violating the prohibition on using a handheld wireless
21     communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle; and
22          ▸     makes technical corrections.
23     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
24          None
25     Other Special Clauses:
26          None
27     Utah Code Sections Affected:
28     AMENDS:
29          41-6a-1715, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 416
30          41-6a-1716, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 416
31     

32     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
33          Section 1. Section 41-6a-1715 is amended to read:
34          41-6a-1715. Careless driving defined and prohibited.
34a      Ĥ→ (1) As used in this section, "hands-free talking and listening features":
34b          (a) means technology that enables the use of a wireless telephone or other electronic
34c     device without use of either hand by employing an internal feature of, or an attachment to, the
34d     device; and
34e          (b) includes technology that requires the use of either hand to activate, deactivate, or
34f     initiate a function of the wireless telephone or other electronic device.
35           [(1)] (2) ←Ĥ A person operating a motor vehicle is guilty of careless driving if the person:
36          (a) commits two or more moving traffic violations under this chapter in a series of acts
37     within a single continuous period of driving covering three miles or less in total distance; or
38          (b) commits a moving traffic violation under this chapter other than a moving traffic
39     violation under Part 6, Speed Restrictions, while being Ĥ→ [purposefully] ←Ĥ distracted by one or
39a     more
40     activities taking place within the vehicle that are not related to the operation of a motor vehicle,
41     including:
42          (i) Ĥ→ [using] holding ←Ĥ a wireless telephone or other electronic device unless the
42a     person is using
43     hands-free talking and listening features while operating the motor vehicle;
44          [(i)] (ii) searching for an item in the vehicle; or
45          [(ii)] (iii) attending to personal hygiene or grooming.
46          Ĥ→ [(2)] (3) ←Ĥ A violation of this section is a class C misdemeanor.
47          Ĥ→ [(3)] (4) ←Ĥ In addition to the penalty provided under this section or any other section,
47a     a judge
48     may order the revocation of the convicted person's driver license if the violation causes or
49     results in the death of another person in accordance with Subsection 53-3-218(6).
50          Section 2. Section 41-6a-1716 is amended to read:
51          41-6a-1716. Prohibition on using a handheld wireless communication device
52     while operating a moving motor vehicle -- Exceptions -- Penalties.
53          (1) As used in this section[: (a)], "handheld wireless communication device" means a
54     handheld, portable device used for the wireless transfer of information [without the use of
55     electrical conductors or wires] through manual or voice input.
56          [(b) "Handheld wireless communication device" includes a:]
57          [(i) wireless telephone;]
58          [(ii) text messaging device;]
59          [(iii) laptop; or]
60          [(iv) any substantially similar communication device that is readily removable from the
61     vehicle and is used to write, send, or read text or data through manual input.]
62          (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person may not use a handheld wireless
63     communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this state to
64     [manually]:
65          [(a) write, send, or read a written communication, including:]
66          [(i) a text message;]
67          (a) compose, send, or view a text, video, or electronic mail message;
68          [(ii) an instant message; or]
69          [(iii) electronic mail;]
70          [(b) dial a phone number;]
71          [(c)] (b) access the Internet; or
72          [(d) view or record video; or]
73          [(e)] (c) manually enter data into 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 using a handheld communication device for voice communication;]
77          [(b) to view a global positioning or navigation device or a global positioning or
78     navigation application;]
79          (a) when making or receiving a telephone call or sending or receiving a voice message;
80          (b) when using a handheld wireless communication device for global positioning or
81     navigation services;
82          (c) when using a handheld wireless communication device to listen to music, including
83     using a music application that accesses the Internet;
84          [(c)] (d) during a medical emergency;
85          [(d)] (e) when reporting a safety hazard or requesting assistance relating to a safety
86     hazard;
87          [(e)] (f) when reporting criminal activity or requesting assistance relating to a criminal
88     activity;
89          [(f)] (g) when used by a law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel, in
90     exigent circumstances, acting within the course and scope of the law enforcement officer's or
91     emergency service personnel's employment; or
92          [(g)] (h) to operate:
93          (i) hands-free or voice operated technology; or
94          (ii) a system that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.
95          (4) A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a:
96          (a) class C misdemeanor [with a maximum fine of $100]; or
97          (b) class [B] A misdemeanor if the person[: (i)] has also inflicted serious bodily injury
98     upon another as a proximate result of using a handheld wireless communication device in
99     violation of this section while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this state[;
100     or].
101          [(ii) has a prior conviction under this section, that is within three years of:]
102          [(A) the current conviction under this section; or]
103          [(B) the commission of the offense upon which the current conviction is based.]