Terre Haute News
Indiana Central News
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
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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:
For information on every new law that passed during the 2020 session of the Indiana General Assembly, click here. Comments are closed.
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Lucy Perry
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© Indiana Central News. All rights reserved. Terre Haute, Indiana
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News Writer: Lucy Perry
EMAIL: lperrynews@gmail.com |