explaining the utah cell phone and driving law

Explaining the Utah Cell Phone & Driving Law

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There has been a lot of confusion regarding the new cell phone law in Utah. Lawmakers attempted to allow some behaviors that they felt were not as dangerous as others. This attempt at avoiding an all-out ban on cell phone use while driving has left some drivers unsure about what conduct is acceptable. The following is the relevant section of the new statute:

Utah Code: Title 41/Chapter 6A/Section 1716:

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a person may not use a handheld wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in this state to manually:

(a) write, send, or read a written communication, including:

(i) a text message;

(ii) an instant message; or

(iii) electronic mail;

(b) dial a phone number;

(c) access the Internet;

(d) view or record video; or

(e) enter data into a handheld wireless communication device.

(3) Subsection (2) does not prohibit a person from using a handheld wireless communication device while operating a moving motor vehicle:

(a) when using a handheld communication device for voice communication;

(b) to view a global positioning or navigation device or a global positioning or navigation application;

(c) during a medical emergency;

(d) when reporting a safety hazard or requesting assistance relating to a safety hazard;

(e) when reporting criminal activity or requesting assistance relating to a criminal activity;

(f) when used by a law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel acting within the  course and scope of the law enforcement officer’s or emergency service personnel’s employment; or

(g) to operate:

(i) hands-free or voice operated technology; or

(ii) a system that is physically or electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.

 Our Summary

Once you break it down, it’s not that complicated. The main emphasis of the law is to entirely eliminate data entry while driving; that means no typing. No typing a text, email, or even a phone number. It also bans surfing the web and recording or viewing video. However, Utah drivers can still answer calls, make calls without dialing, and use their g.p.s.

If you have other questions related to Utah Auto Law, check out our free legal resources tab at stglegal.com.

U.S. Government Releases Texting While Driving Video

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released a new video aimed at bringing attention to the dangers of texting while driving.

The new video portrays a group of three teens traveling in a vehicle in which the driver hears a beep and looks down to check her text messages.  While checking her messages the driver takes her eyes off the road for a split second and misses a stop sign.  The result is a t-bone collision in which a truck crashes into the passenger side of the vehicle causing it to roll of the road.

The governments message is as clear as the video is chilling.  DO NOT TEXT WHILE DRIVING!  Please share this video with those around you.  Texting while driving crashes are happening far too often on Utah’s roadways.  Together we can all make the roads safer if we put our phones down and keep our eyes on the road.

Powerful anti-texting video – Please watch

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German filmmaker Werner Herzog (director of Grizzly Man) recently directed a video titled “From One Second to the Next.”  This video potrays the tragic story of those impacted by texting and driving accidents.  The video hits close to home as it profiles a Utah texting accident in which two northern Utah rocket scientist were killed.

Commissioned by cellphone carrier AT&T, this video has garnered over 2 million views.  The video to be used as an education tool for government agencies, safety organizations, and schools highlights the tragic effects of driving and texting.

The video profiles four families across the country and portrays the loss and heartache that can result from texting and driving.

At McMullin Injury Law we support this effort and want to emphasis the importance of not texting while driving.  Texting and Driving…It Can Wait (Take the pledge here)

man pretending to drive

Embrace Life – Buckle Up

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Our job at McMullin Injury Law is to help people. We help people recover from their injuries after automobile accidents by ensuring that they are fairly compensated and adequately taken care of. Too many times, we see injuries that are worse than they needed to be. Wearing a seatbelt is extremely simple, yet the effects of that simple decision can be life changing. Each and every time you get into a car and drive, there is a chance that you could get into an accident. You can greatly decrease your odds of getting into an auto accident by driving carefully, obeying the traffic laws, and especially by not texting while driving. Unfortunately, even doing all of those things will not completely eliminate your risks. Situations on the road can change in an instant. Weather conditions and other drivers can impose risks on you that you are not prepared to handle. You could even be in an accident where you were not at fault in any way. No matter what situation may arise, you will not regret buckling up your seat belt prior to starting the car.

The video featured on this page vividly describes buckling your seatbelt as “embracing life.” Maybe the only thing worse than losing a loved one, is losing a loved one whose passing could have been prevented. McMullin Injury Law supports the message that buckling a seatbelt is embracing life. You can help save a life of a friend or family member by reminding your loved ones to buckle up before starting the car. Sharing this video, and others like it, can help to make St. George, Utah a safer place to live, and a safer place to drive.

Anti-Texting and Driving Signs Being Posted in St. George

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David Henson was killed in an extremely tragic motor vehicle-pedestrian accident on March 4, 2013 in St. George, Utah. David had been on a walk with his wife Leslee Henson when the accident occurred. That at-fault driver had been text messaging on her cell phone while behind the wheel. Leslee was also badly injured, but she survived. She and her daughter have since been aggressively fighting for positive changes in the way people drive in our state. A major battle was won in that war against distracted driving when the first anti-texting and driving sign was posted this week at the site of the fatal crash.

 

The sign reads, “Texting While Driving is Against the Law.” Immediately below it is another sign that reads, “This Sign Placed in Memory of David Henson.” St. George City Council unanimously approved the use of such signs on June 20th. A small group of friends and family, as well as Mayor Dan McArthur, attended the unveiling of the sign.

 

Distracted driving causes many accidents in Southern Utah every year. Texting while driving may be the worst offender because it can take our attention off of the roadway completely. Unfortunately, many drivers do not internalize tragic stories like this one. People like to think that nothing bad will happen to them. What people fail to realize is that each time you make a decision to drive while distracted; you are endangering the lives of other people in addition to your own. Even safe drivers make mistakes. If you drive distracted, the odds that you will eventually make a mistake skyrocket. Texting while driving is illegal in Utah. Drivers can and will be cited for it. It is up to all St. George drivers to make the decision to not text while driving so that they can help make St. George a safer place.

For more on this story visit: http://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2013/07/25/mgk-first-of-many-no-texting-signs-unvieled-in-st-george/