Officials remind drivers about hands-free cell phone law

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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

Officials hope a new state law will not only reduce crashes, but save lives.

The" Hands - Free Driving" law makes it illegal to operate or hold an electronic device while driving a vehicle, Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt explains. He wants to remind drivers to put their phones down and keep their eyes on the road, especially now that police are set to enforce the law next month.

Any use of the phone  --- texting, phone calls, getting directions, or any activity pertaining to the phone's functions -- while operating a vehicle, is considered  distracted driving. 

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts warns that even a brief glimpse away from the road can be enough to cause a crash. He says distracted driving has been an ongoing problem across the state and officers are ready to crack down on those in violation of the law.

"Starting July 1, if a police officer sees you on your phone while driving, for any reason, you could be subject to a stop and a ticket," he said.

Phones can still be used for hands-free voice conversations while driving -- if they are secured with clips and holders, which are made available for purchase at various stores. Also, vehicles are often equipped with Bluetooth technology and auxiliary ports for hands-free navigation and phone calls, Roberts notes.

Sen. Jon Ford (R- Terre Haute) also released information on the pending cell phone law, pointing out that  calls to 911 are still permissible in emergency situations while driving .

In a newsletter today, Ford explains other important laws to take effect July 1:

• To increase health care cost transparency, doctors and hospitals will be required to give patients a good-faith estimate upon request for the cost of most planned services. This new law helps patients reduce health care costs by giving them the power to compare prices from different providers.

• To reduce youth smoking and vaping in Indiana, fines will be doubled for businesses that sell tobacco and vaping products to minors. Vape shops will also be barred from allowing underage individuals in their stores, and they will be subject to state inspections, just like tobacco shops.

• To improve justice for victims of sexual assault and other sex offenses, the General Assembly created an exemption to the statute of limitations for sex crimes against children, allowing victims to seek justice if new evidence comes to light years later. Additionally, victims of sexual assault will now have the legal right to speak to a victim advocate or social worker while their case is being investigated.

For information on every new law that passed during the 2020 session of the Indiana General Assembly, click here.