Interesting Information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
 |
Cell Phone Laws as of May 2007 |
• Five states ( California , Connecticut , New York , New Jersey , and Washington ) and the District of Columbia have enacted a jurisdiction-wide ban on driving while talking on a handheld cellular phone. Washington state has also enacted a jurisdiction-wide ban on text messaging while driving.
• Six states ( Illinois , Massachusetts , Michigan , New Mexico , Ohio , and Pennsylvania ) allow localities to ban cell phone use. Localities that have enacted restrictions on cell phone use include: Chicago , IL ; Brookline , MA ; Detroit , MI ; Santa Fe , NM ; Brooklyn, North Olmstead and Walton Hills , OH ; and Conshohocken , Lebanon and West Conshohocken , PA.
• Eight states ( Florida , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , Nevada , Oklahoma , Oregon , and Utah ) prohibit localities from banning cell phone use.
• Thirteen states ( Arizona , Arkansas , California , Connecticut , Delaware , Georgia , Illinois , Kentucky , Massachusetts , New Jersey , Rhode Island , Tennessee , and Texas ) and DC prohibit the use of all cellular phones while driving a school bus.
• Fifteen states ( Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Illinois , Maine , Maryland , Minnesota , Nebraska , New Jersey , North Carolina , Rhode Island , Tennessee , Texas , Virginia , and West Virginia ) and DC restrict the use of cellular phones by young drivers.
• All but seven states with cell phone bans have primary enforcement laws. New Jersey 's ban is a secondary enforcement law for everyone except school bus drivers and learner's permit and intermediate license holders. Colorado , Maryland , Nebraska , Virginia , Washington , and West Virginia have secondary enforcement laws. Secondary enforcement laws may only be enforced when a driver has been stopped for another infraction. Utah 's law defines careless driving as committing a moving violation (other than speeding) while distracted by use of a hand held cell phone or other activities not related to driving.
 |
Restrictions on Riding in Cargo Areas of Pickup Trucks as of January 2007 (no changes since July 2006) |
Federal standards require that occupant compartments of vehicles be designed to protect occupants during a crash. The beds of pickup trucks are designed to carry cargo, not people, and are not designed to provide protection in a crash. In addition, children and adults can be easily ejected from cargo areas at relatively low speeds as a result of a sharp turn to avoid an obstacle or crash.
Thirty states and the District of Columbia have addressed the hazard of riding in cargo areas with a variety of laws, most of which are designed to protect children, but few of which provide comprehensive protection for all children younger than 16. Seat belt and child restraint laws also may apply to prevent people from riding unrestrained in cargo areas.
Virginia laws prohibit riders in cargo areas with the exception of persons 16 years and older, or farmers when crossing a highway to go from field to field.
For additional information on these laws and others of interest go to www.iihs.org
VML Insurance Programs Website