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Senate committee advances bill banning texting while driving, bars phone use by drivers under 18
Summary
The Senate Transportation Committee reported Senate Bill 99 favorably with a committee substitute that would ban reading, writing or sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle, bar drivers under 18 from using personal communication devices in any manner while driving and set a $100 fine with a 90-day license revocation for minors.
Senator Don Douglas introduced Senate Bill 99 to the Senate Transportation Committee, saying the measure updates KRS 189.292 to prohibit use of personal communication devices to write, send or read text messages while operating a motor vehicle and to strengthen protections for pedestrians and other road users.
Douglas told the committee the bill defines "operating a motor vehicle," defines "personal communication device," and specifies what constitutes use of the device. He said committee substitute 1 protects use of integrated GPS systems and includes limited exceptions for emergency or public-safety uses. "I am looking to improve the safety of operating motor vehicles in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as well as those who are not distracted," Douglas said.
The committee substitute bars anyone under age 18 from…
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