Legislation that would ban drivers in Kentucky from holding their cellphones in their hands while their vehicle is in motion cleared the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 28 would bring Kentucky in line with 30 other states, including all of the contiguous ones, according to its sponsor, Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, who also serves as the Transportation Committee chair.
“Distracted driving is a major contributor to motor vehicle crashes and injuries on Kentucky roads,” he told the panel. “The use of electronic devices for communication and entertainment can really distract drivers from the driving task, as found by safety studies and data. The National Transportation Safety Board includes distracted driving as the number one issue of seven safety issues that need immediate attention.”
He also noted that distracted driving is similar to those who are on the threshold of driving under influence.
There are exceptions to the ban, including such things as the use of hands-free technology in vehicles, CB or business two-way radios, and making emergency calls.
Violators would pay a $100 fine, with no court costs or points assessed to your drivers license.
The bill received unanimous approval.
Higdon filed the bill this session in memory of 2-year-old Camberleigh Burns, who died in 2022 in a crash caused by a distracted driver. Her mother, Alyssa Burns, testified in support of the measure last fall.
SB 28 moves to the full Senate for consideration.
The committee also approved SB 7, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Reed, R-Shelbyville, which would allow local government entities to issue renewals or duplicate operators licenses, instead of requiring people to go to one of the regional license offices.
“Unless you have a regional office in your own backyard, every one of us has heard the same message from constituents, that the current driver’s license system is not meeting the needs of Kentuckians,” Reed testified. “Long drives, long lines and repeated delays have created real frustration across the Commonwealth. In many rural counties, families are having to travel for up to an hour or more, just to get a license. This is not accessible government and it’s not the standard we should accept.”
His bottom line: “SB 7 is about restoring trust, restoring convenience and restoring local control.”
SB 7 was also adopted unanimously. Since neither SB 7 or SB 28 have had any readings on the Senate floor, the earliest either of them could receive a final vote is Friday.
Sen. Jimmy Higdon is sponsoring a bill that would ban drivers in Kentucky from holding cellphones while the vehicle is in motion. (LRC photo)
