12-29-10 —     A change in state law, aimed at eliminating traffic hazards caused 

by distracted driving, is something that everyone should keep in mind  

as the new year begins. Fines will begin Jan. 1 for anyone caught  

texting while driving and for those under 18 who use a cell phone  

while driving.

    Violators will be liable for fines of $25 on a first offense and $50 

on each subsequent offense, plus court costs.

    "Safety is a top priority of this administration," stated Gov. Steve 

Beshear. "I am convinced that this new law, which many people worked  with us to pass, will reduce crashes and fatalities on Kentucky  roadways."

    In Kentucky last year, there were more than 57,000 crashes—and more than 200 fatalities—attributed to driver distraction, inattention and  cell phone use.

      Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 415 into law on April 15, 2010. The law bans texting for drivers of all ages while the vehicle is in  

motion. For drivers over 18, it allows the use of global positioning  

devices and reading, selecting or entering a telephone number or name  for the purpose of making a phone call.

    Texting is allowed only to report illegal activity or to request 

medical or emergency aid.

      For drivers under 18, no use of personal communication devices 

such as cell phones and pagers is allowed while the vehicle is in  

motion. The use of a global positioning system is allowed, but  

manually entering information must be completed while the vehicle is  

stopped.

    Emergency and public safety vehicles are exempt when the use of a 

personal communication device is essential to the operator's official  

duties.

    "We believe the law will encourage drivers to stay focused on the 

task at hand," said Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock. "And with  

tighter provisions for those under 18, our new drivers will  

automatically be educated on this important safe driving practice."

   According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,  

driver distraction and inattention contributes to 25 percent of  

police-responded traffic crashes nationwide. Inexperienced drivers  

under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related  

fatal crashes.

    Kentucky was the 22nd state to ban texting while driving. Currently, 

30 states and the District of Columbia ban text messaging for all  

drivers. Twelve of these laws were enacted in 2010 alone.