The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the use of portable wireless communication devices while driving. Under the new law, the civil penalty for a second or subsequent violation would increase from a range of $150 to $250 to a fixed amount of $400. Additionally, if a violation results in an accident involving a motorcycle, an extra penalty of $150 would be imposed. The bill also clarifies that peace officers may not issue citations for distracted driving violations.

Furthermore, the bill removes the previous timeline that allowed only warnings for violations until December 31, 2020, and establishes that the regulation of portable wireless communication devices while driving is a statewide concern, preventing local jurisdictions from enacting conflicting regulations. The language regarding the regulation's applicability after December 31, 2020, is also updated to ensure that any local regulations that contradict the state law are deemed void.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 28-914