State Legislators Want ‘Driving Under The Influence of Electronics’ Penalty

DUI might now also become DUE of some state legislators have their way.

According to the Seattle Times, safety activists are already gearing up to try to put a TOTAL ban on the use of any hand held electronic device while you're driving.

It seems, and we didn't know this either, that while you're not allowed to talk on your cellphone while driving unless you have a hands-free device, the law does NOT cover social media use (or emails or Googling etc) behind the wheel!

So, you might not be talking but Facebooking and be legal. So, legislators are preparing what's called the Driving Under The Influence of Electronics act. It would ban the use of any hand held device behind the wheel, regardless if phone, tablet, laptop etc.

According to the National Safety Council, distracted driving (from electronic devices) killed 3,477 people in the U.S. in 2016, a 9 percent increase over 2015.  Handheld phone talking is banned in 14 states, texting while driving banned in 46.

If the bill passes, the penalties for use behind the wheel could rise from $124 to over $300. The bill is being proposed by both a Republican and Democratic Senator in the state legislature.