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Senate rejects bill to ban cellphone use for drivers under 18 after heated debate
Summary
Senators debated House Bill 103 — a proposal to restrict cellphone use by drivers under 18 — with supporters calling it a targeted safety step and opponents arguing distracted driving is universal. The bill failed on a roll call, 11‑13.
House Bill 103, a proposal to limit wireless telephone use by drivers younger than 18, drew sustained debate on the Senate floor March 12.
Sponsor remarks framed the bill as an incremental safety measure aimed at inexperienced drivers. Supporters said the change would reinforce educational campaigns and reduce crashes caused by distraction. Opponents countered that distracted driving is not limited to teens and that existing moving‑violation statutes already cover dangerous distracted behavior.
Senator Thatcher, speaking against the bill, argued the core problem is not age: "The problem isn't teenagers. The problem is every driver." Other senators noted enforcement challenges and cautioned that singling out one age group could be ineffective. The motion to read HB103 for a third time and proceed to a final vote failed on a roll call of 11 yeas to 13 nays, and the sponsor asked that the bill be held.
No amendments to the bill were adopted on the floor before the vote. Following the failed motion, senators returned to calendar management and other items on the second‑reading list.
