Senate approves ban on wireless-device use while driving after rejecting late amendment to make enforcement secondary

The Utah Senate on March 11 debated a proposed amendment to make enforcement of the state's ban on using wireless devices while driving a "secondary" offense, but after testimony from multiple sponsors and opponents the amendment failed and the chamber passed the third substitute of House Bill 290.

Senator Stoll proposed Amendment 1 to make enforcement secondary — meaning officers could not stop drivers solely for device use — but Senator Hilliard opposed the change, citing research he said showed texting while driving is "twice as bad as a drunk driver" and arguing primary enforcement reinforces safety. "I would remind us ... that the study at University of Utah said that texting, using your hands and your mind while you're driving, is twice as bad as a drunk driver," Hilliard told colleagues.

Supporters of primary enforcement argued that the legislation sends a strong public-safety message and allows officers to act on visible dangerous behavior rather than waiting for a secondary trigger. Opposition warned a primary offense could be seen as overreach and compared it to seat-belt enforcement, which has historically been secondary in some jurisdictions.

After calling the question the Senate recorded a roll-call vote and the third substitute House Bill 290 passed on the floor; the record shows a strong majority in favor with a single recorded nay vote and two absentees on the roll call announced by the presiding officer.