1     
DISTRACTED DRIVER AMENDMENTS

2     
2021 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Carol Spackman Moss

5     
Senate Sponsor: Don L. Ipson

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill amends provisions related to the use of a handheld wireless communication
10     device while operating a motor vehicle.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     defines terms related to the operation of handheld wireless communication devices;
14          ▸     prohibits certain uses of a handheld wireless communication device while operating
15     a motor vehicle on a roadway;
16          ▸     provides limited exceptions to the prohibition on the use of a handheld wireless
17     communication device while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway;
18          ▸     amends penalties for a violation; and
19          ▸     makes technical changes.
20     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21          None
22     Other Special Clauses:
23          None
24     Utah Code Sections Affected:
25     AMENDS:
26          41-6a-1716, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 416
27     

28     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29          Section 1. Section 41-6a-1716 is amended to read:
30          41-6a-1716. Prohibition on using a handheld wireless communication device
31     while operating a moving motor vehicle -- Exceptions -- Penalties.
32          (1) As used in this section:
33          (a) (i) "Handheld wireless communication device" means a handheld device used for
34     the transfer of information without the use of electrical conductors or wires.
35          [(b)] (ii) "Handheld wireless communication device" includes [a]:
36          [(i)] (A) a wireless telephone;
37          [(ii)] (B) a text messaging device;
38          [(iii)] (C) a laptop; or
39          [(iv)] (D) any substantially similar communication device that is readily removable
40     from the vehicle and is used to write, send, or read text or data through manual input.
41          (iii) "Handheld wireless communication device" does not include a two-way radio
42     device described in 47 C.F.R. Parts 90, 95, or 97.
43          (b) "Hands-free operation" means the use of a handheld wireless communication
44     device without manual manipulation.
45          (c) "Manual manipulation" means the act of manually manipulating.
46          (d) (i) "Manually manipulate" means to use a hand to hold or operate a handheld
47     wireless communication device.
48          (ii) "Manually manipulate" does not mean to use a hand to activate or deactivate a
49     feature or function of a handheld wireless communication device if:
50          (A) the manipulation is a single swipe or tap of a finger; and
51          (B) the handheld wireless communication device is mounted on the vehicle's
52     windshield, dashboard, or center console in a manner that does not hinder the operator's view
53     of the road.
54          (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), [a person] an individual may not [use]
55     manually manipulate a handheld wireless communication device while operating a moving
56     motor vehicle on a [highway] roadway in this state [to manually:].
57          [(a) write, send, or read a written communication, including:]
58          [(i) a text message;]
59          [(ii) an instant message; or]
60          [(iii) electronic mail;]
61          [(b) dial a phone number;]
62          [(c) access the Internet;]
63          [(d) view or record video; or]
64          [(e) enter data into a handheld wireless communication device.]
65          (3) (a) Subsection (2) does not prohibit [a person] an individual from:
66          (i) hands-free operation of a wireless communication device while operating a motor
67     vehicle on a roadway; or
68          (ii) using a handheld wireless communication device while operating a [moving] motor
69     vehicle on a roadway:
70          [(a) when using a handheld communication device for voice communication;]
71          [(b) to view a global positioning or navigation device or a global positioning or
72     navigation application;]
73          (A) if the motor vehicle is parked on the roadway in a manner allowed under this
74     chapter;
75          [(c)] (B) during a medical emergency;
76          [(d)] (C) when reporting a safety hazard or requesting assistance relating to a safety
77     hazard;
78          [(e)] (D) when reporting criminal activity or requesting assistance relating to a criminal
79     activity; or
80          [(f)] (E) when used by a law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel acting
81     within the course and scope of the law enforcement officer's or emergency service personnel's
82     employment[; or].
83          [(g) to operate:]
84          [(i) hands-free or voice operated technology; or]
85          [(ii) a system that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.]
86          (b) Except as allowed under Subsection (3)(a)(ii), an individual may not use a handheld
87     wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway to:
88          (i) read a written communication, including:
89          (A) a text message;
90          (B) an instant message; or
91          (C) electronic mail; or
92          (ii) view or record video.
93          (4) A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of [a]:
94          [(a) class C misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $100; or]
95          (a) an infraction; or
96          (b) a class B misdemeanor if the person[: (i)] has also inflicted serious bodily injury
97     upon another as a proximate result of using a handheld wireless communication device in
98     violation of this section while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this state[;
99     or].
100          [(ii) has a prior conviction under this section, that is within three years of:]
101          [(A) the current conviction under this section; or]
102          [(B) the commission of the offense upon which the current conviction is based.]