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Utah House approves hands‑free driving law after debate over evidence and narrow exemptions
Summary
The House passed HB101 on Feb. 24, 2020, making handheld cell‑phone use while driving a primary enforceable offense with limited exemptions; supporters said it gives law enforcement an enforceable tool, while opponents urged more evidence that hands‑free driving is safer. The bill passed 40‑32 and moves to the Senate.
The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 24 approved House Bill 101, a hands‑free distracted‑driving law that makes manually manipulating a handheld wireless device while operating a moving motor vehicle a primary enforceable offense, with narrowly drawn exemptions for ham radio and two‑way radio operators.
Representative Carol Moss, the bill sponsor, said the measure “gives our law enforcement officers . . . the tool to help us” and argued the law is clear and enforceable: “if you're holding a cell phone, you're violating the law.” Moss also said the…
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