Cell Phone Bill Approved By House, Moves To Senate

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INDIANAPOLIS–The bill that would require you to put your phone down while driving has been approved by the Indiana House.

Under this bill, you will only be able to use a hands-free device.

Any driver who holds the phone to talk, text, browse the internet, access an electronic map, or use the device for nearly any other reason, would be subject to a fine of up to $500 if the proposal becomes law.

It was approved by a vote of 86-10. Governor Holcomb is also in favor of it.

Indiana Criminal Justice Institute

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute says distracted driving killed five Hoosiers last year and caused seven-million dollars in property damage. The institute says both estimates are probably conservative, for the same reason the current texting ban is unworkable. They say it’s hard to establish what someone was doing with his phone, and drivers are often reluctant to admit it after a crash.

The Senate will review the bill next.