3/31/05-A bill that sought to require drivers to keep their hands off the phone has died.
SB343, sponsored by Rose Ann Antich-Carr, D-Merrillville, failed to come up for a vote on the Senate floor prior to the deadline for bills to pass from the chamber, effectively killing it for the year.
The measure called for banning hand-held cell phone use while driving. Talking on a phone equipped with a “hands-free” device would have still been permitted.
Under the bill, a driver caught using a hand-held phone could face a $1,000 fine. It would exempt emergency calls.
A similar House bill – HB1508 – met a similar fate.

1/26/05-A bill in the Senate Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters Committee would require drivers to keep their hands off the phone.
SB343, sponsored by Sen. Rose Ann Antich-Carr, D-Merrillville, would ban hand-held cell phone use while driving. Talking on a phone equipped with a “hands-free” device would still be permitted.
Under the bill, a driver caught using a hand-held phone could face a $1,000 fine. It would exempt emergency calls.
For bill status, call (317) 232-9856.
A similar House bill – HB1508 – is in the House Roads and Transportation Committee.