Utah H.B. 160: Distracted Driving Amendments
The 2021 legislative session began in Utah just several days ago. What does this mean for the average citizen of Utah? Well, elected legislators(congresspeople and senators) draft written bills that they introduce to the floor of congress or the senate in a lengthy process to get the bill written into law. Usually new laws take effect the following summer, fall or in the next calendar year. In this session, Congresswoman Carol Spackman Moss introduced House Bill 160, which provides amendments to the current distracted driving laws in Utah.
What is H.B. 160?
H.B 160 increases the penalties for distracted driving and extends the definition of distracted driving to encompass all handheld devices including cell phones, tablets and GPS devices. The new language of the bill makes it a crime to “manually manipulate” a handheld wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in Utah. The previous language of the law listed individual actions that were prohibited such as texting or surfing the internet, but now, if the bill passes, even touching a handheld phone while driving would violate the proposed law. One way to engage in communication but still drive safely is to purchase a Bluetooth speaker for your phone, or pre-program your GPS device with the destination, then mount it on your dash or windshield for the duration of the trip.
Why is H.B. 160 Important?
H.B. 160 is important because it further strengthens protections for all drivers, passengers and pedestrian travelling on Utah roadways. It expands the definition from highways to roadways, meaning residential streets are also applicable. It strengthens the ability for police officers to issue tickets to drivers who are not adhering to the law. Distracted driving laws do not exist simply to generate revenue for local jurisdictions. Texting while driving, surfing the web, and any other action the driver engages in with a handheld device while operating a car or truck is extremely dangerous. Studies have shown that more and more accidents are occurring as a result of distracted driving. Taking your eyes off the road for even a second can result in a serious collision or even death. It is simply not worth the risk. If you were recently involved in an accident, and you believe the other driver was engaged in distracted driving at the time of the collision, contact our attorneys at Rocky Mountain Personal Injury Center to determine your options.
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If you or a family member were recently involved in a car collision as a result of another driver’s negligence, contact our attorneys at Rocky Mountain Personal Injury Center. Report the accident to your insurance, but do not indicate fault, do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company yet, or accept any preliminary offers for property damage, no matter how lucrative. The first offer from the at fault insurance company is just that, a first offer. You are under no obligation to close a claim quickly or settle without seeking adequate medical treatment or determining the full market value of your now-damaged vehicle.
Certainly if the other driver was distracted, using a cell phone or tablet to talk, text, browse the web or write an email, then they broke the law. And, if H.B. 160 (the Utah Distracted Driving Amendments) is passed by the end of 2021 legislative session, the penalties for distracted driving will increase. In the meantime, contact our lawyers at Rocky Mountain Personal Injury Center for assistance with your personal injury claim.
