Measure allows ticketing of distracted drivers

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007 12:16 a.m. MST
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With a 26-1 vote, senators approved a bill on Tuesday that would allow motorist to be ticketed for "careless driving." The measure was approved in the House on Monday.

SB17 bill defines careless driving as being distracted by something such as a cell phone or attending to personal hygiene. To be ticketed for careless driving, a motorist would have to be stopped for another driving offense first.

A ticket for careless driving would be a class C misdemeanor.

SB17, which makes other technical changes to transportation laws, was amended last week on the House floor to remove the careless driving provision. It was amended earlier in a committee to remove a provision increasing the speed limits on state highways by 5 mph.

The Senate did not want the careless driving provision taken out, so a conference committee was appointed and an agreement reached to put the provision back in.

The bill passed the Senate 26-1. It now goes to the governor for his signature.

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