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2013 SESSION

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SB 1222 Handheld personal communications devices; mandatory minimum fine when convicted of reckless driving.

Introduced by: Thomas K. Norment, Jr. | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS ENACTED WITH GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION: (all summaries)

Driving while texting; primary offense; increased penalties. Provides that driving while texting is a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine of $125 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $250. The current penalties are $20 for a first offense and $50 for a second or subsequent offense. The bill also increases the punishment of any person convicted of reckless driving to include a $250 mandatory minimum fine if the person was texting at the time of the reckless driving offense. The bill also changes the offense from a secondary offense (one that can only be charged when the offender is stopped for another, separate offense) to a primary offense. The bill also provides that the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall make training on such offenses available to state and local law-enforcement agencies. The bill incorporates SB 981, SB 1160, and SB 1238. The bill is identical to HB 1907.


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