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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 operating a personal communication device in any manner while driving, including hands-free operations, but retains exceptions for summoning emergency medical help, law enforcement or public-safety agencies. Section 3 of the bill, as described by Douglas, establishes a $100 fine for the offense and states that no points will be assessed against the driver’s record. Section 4 provides for a 90-day license revocation for drivers under 18 who violate the prohibition. Section 5 makes conforming changes to KRS 189.2327.
Chris Nolan of the Insurance Institute of Kentucky told the committee the institute has supported the bill for years. "We've supported this bill for many years," Nolan said after the committee reported the bill. Several senators described personal or industry experience they said supported the measure; Senator Elkins described similar changes in the trucking industry and said the shift to hands-free rules had made the roads safer.
The committee reported Senate Bill 99 favorably with the committee substitute attached and an expression that it ‘‘shall pass.’' Members who publicly stated their votes and explanations during the roll call included Senators Berg, Don Douglas, Elkins, Smith, Wheeler, Williams, Higdon and Cassie Armstrong, each of whom voiced support on the record. No opposing votes were recorded in the committee transcript. The clerk's summary: "Senate Bill 99 is reported favorably with expressions of opinion that same shall pass with committee substitute attached."
Why it matters: committee members and witnesses framed the bill as a public-safety measure aimed at reducing collisions involving pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users by limiting distractions for drivers and adding stronger penalties for minors.
The committee discussion also noted the transportation cabinet's role in updating administrative regulations to reflect the statutory changes; Douglas said the cabinet is willing to update regulations to align with the bill. The bill will proceed to the next stage of the legislative process.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 99 — reported favorably with committee substitute; recorded supporting votes and explanations from Senators Berg, Don Douglas, Elkins, Smith, Wheeler, Williams, Higdon and Cassie Armstrong. No opposing votes were recorded in the committee transcript.
Sources: Committee hearing transcript; remarks by Senator Don Douglas and Chris Nolan (Insurance Institute of Kentucky).
