A long overdue law goes into effect across Indiana next week.
Back during the most recent legislative session, on March 18, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1070, which bans motorists from holding cell phones while operating motor vehicles.
Starting July 1, drivers will only be able to use hands-free technology, such as dashboard mounts and Bluetooth devices, or voice technology, while driving. If a motorist needs to call 911 for an emergency on their handheld, they may do so.
Those found violating the law will commit a Class C infraction, with fines up to $500. Drivers without traffic infractions within five years will face a fine of no more than $35.50 plus court costs and those with a single violation will pay no more than $250.50 plus court costs.
A late change in the bill states those ticketed before July 1, 2021 will not receive points on their license.
Most Democrats and Republicans agreed that the new measures needed to be taken to address the issue.
The Indiana House of Representatives passed the bill 86-10 before gaining Senate approval 49-1.
The new law will replace old, ineffective, policy. A texting law was enacted in 2011, but it has largely failed due to exceptions and loopholes.
Locally, state representatives had differing takes on the bill. In the House, Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus, and Rep. Randy Frye, R-Greensburg, voted in favor of the bill while Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, and Rep. Sean Eberhart, R-Shelbyville, voted no. Senators Eric Koch, R-Bedford, Greg Walker, R-Columbus, and Chip Perfect, R-Lawrenceburg all voted yes.
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute has reported that there have been more than 1,200 collisions on Indiana roads where a cell phone or other device was a factor since 2015. Four of those crashes were fatalities.
Indiana is now the 22nd state to ban the use of handheld devices while driving. Other states that have enacted similar laws have seen downward trends in distracted driving incidents since enacting stricter policy.
While some drivers will continue to violate the new policy, our hope is that local law enforcement will crack down on the issue. If officers make it clear that cell phone use while driving won’t be tolerated from the onset of the new law, our roads will become much safer.
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