State Driving Law Legislation

Both of these bills have made it through the Senate and have now moved on to the House Judiciary Committee
Indiana – Senate Bill 221 has requirements that would affect restricted driver’s license holders and would require sobriety tests, ignition interlock devices and in some cases a device that records their alcohol use.
Indiana Senate Bill 247 [...]

Indiana House Bill 1279 has recently passed through the The House Public Policy Committee and moves on to the Full Chamber for further consideration.
If passed into law a fine of $500 is being considered.
Definition Provided:
Provides that it is a Class C infraction if a person uses a telecommunications device to transmit a text message or [...]

Texting while driving.
Provides that it is a Class C infraction if a person uses a telecommunications device to transmit a text message or electronic mail message while operating a moving motor vehicle.
Repeals current definition of “telecommunications device”.
The definition includes:
wireless telephone;
personal digital assistant;
pager; or
text messaging device.
A person may not use a telecommunications device to transmit a [...]

Provides that, in addition to any other criminal sentence imposed by a court, a court may prohibit a person convicted of operating while intoxicated from operating a motor vehicle for at least 90 days if the vehicle is not equipped with an ignition interlock device.
Specifies that the court’s authority to require an ignition interlock device [...]

Provides that a school corporation or an employee of, volunteer for, or independent contractor who performs services for a school corporation is not liable for an injury to or the death of a passenger on a school bus equipped with safety belts if the passenger:
(1) was required to and instructed on the proper way to [...]

Use of telecommunications devices while driving.
Prohibits the use of a handheld personal communications device by a motor vehicle operator who is at least 18 years of age and holds an operator’s license, including a probationary license.
Exempts individuals in emergency situations. Imposes civil penalties for violations. Provides for the deposit of the penalties in the state [...]