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| Legislative Watch | 
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Maryland |
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3/7/07-A bill has died that would have prohibited any action that distracts drivers from the road.
Sponsored by Delegate John Olszewski Jr., D-Dundalk, HB174 was rejected by the House Environmental Matters Committee.
The bill not only would have banned drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones while at the wheel but it would have outlawed such actions as, reading, writing, grooming, interacting with animals or "any other activity that distracts the person's attention."
Violations of the rule would have been a secondary - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for engaging in a distracting activity. Violators would have faced up to $500 fines and a one-point driver's license penalty. Emergency calls would have been exempted.
The bill also would have prevented people age 18 or older with learner's permits or school bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. Maryland law now prohibits drivers younger than 18 with learner's permits from using any hand-held devices.
2/23/07-A bill in the House Environmental Matters Committee would prohibit any action that distracts drivers from the road.
Sponsored by Delegate John Olszewski Jr., D-Dundalk, HB174 not only would ban drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones while at the wheel but it would outlaw such actions as, reading, writing, grooming, interacting with animals or "any other activity that distracts the person's attention."
Violations of the rule would be a secondary - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for engaging in a distracting activity. Violators would face up to $500 fines and a one-point driver's license penalty. Emergency calls would be exempted.
The bill also would prevent people age 18 or older with learner's permits or school bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. Maryland law now prohibits drivers younger than 18 with learner's permits from using any hand-held devices.
For bill status, call (410) 946-5400.
Sponsored by Delegate John Olszewski Jr., D-Dundalk, HB174 was rejected by the House Environmental Matters Committee.
The bill not only would have banned drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones while at the wheel but it would have outlawed such actions as, reading, writing, grooming, interacting with animals or "any other activity that distracts the person's attention."
Violations of the rule would have been a secondary - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for engaging in a distracting activity. Violators would have faced up to $500 fines and a one-point driver's license penalty. Emergency calls would have been exempted.
The bill also would have prevented people age 18 or older with learner's permits or school bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. Maryland law now prohibits drivers younger than 18 with learner's permits from using any hand-held devices.
2/23/07-A bill in the House Environmental Matters Committee would prohibit any action that distracts drivers from the road.
Sponsored by Delegate John Olszewski Jr., D-Dundalk, HB174 not only would ban drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones while at the wheel but it would outlaw such actions as, reading, writing, grooming, interacting with animals or "any other activity that distracts the person's attention."
Violations of the rule would be a secondary - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for engaging in a distracting activity. Violators would face up to $500 fines and a one-point driver's license penalty. Emergency calls would be exempted.
The bill also would prevent people age 18 or older with learner's permits or school bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. Maryland law now prohibits drivers younger than 18 with learner's permits from using any hand-held devices.
For bill status, call (410) 946-5400.