North Dakota Senate Passes Bill Expanding Distracted Driving Laws
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
North Dakota State senators passed House Bill 1430, introduced by House Minority Leader Corey Mock in a 37-9 vote. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has signed the legislation into law.
Under the bill, a driver could be cited and fined $100 for distracted driving if he or she commits a traffic offense or is involved in an accident while distracted. The bill defines distracted driving as doing something that’s not necessary to operate the vehicle and impairs the ability of the driver to safely operate the car.
"Distracted driving is not a primary offense, it’s a secondary offense," said Sen. David Rust, R-Tioga. "You have to commit some other violation or be involved in an accident in order to be cited for distracted driving."
Current North Dakota law makes it illegal to use a "wireless communications device" to compose, read, or send an electronic message while driving, and texting while driving would still be illegal under HB1430. But Mock pointed to federal data showing that of the 904,000 "distraction-affected" crashes in 2013, only 71,000 involved cell phone use.
The change in law takes effect August 1.
Under the bill, a driver could be cited and fined $100 for distracted driving if he or she commits a traffic offense or is involved in an accident while distracted. The bill defines distracted driving as doing something that’s not necessary to operate the vehicle and impairs the ability of the driver to safely operate the car.
"Distracted driving is not a primary offense, it’s a secondary offense," said Sen. David Rust, R-Tioga. "You have to commit some other violation or be involved in an accident in order to be cited for distracted driving."
Current North Dakota law makes it illegal to use a "wireless communications device" to compose, read, or send an electronic message while driving, and texting while driving would still be illegal under HB1430. But Mock pointed to federal data showing that of the 904,000 "distraction-affected" crashes in 2013, only 71,000 involved cell phone use.
The change in law takes effect August 1.
