Senate Bill 253 goes into effect Tuesday and will change what Utah drivers are allowed to do on their cellphones. The bill says that a driver could be given a $100 fine if they are caught looking away from the road to use their phone.
Sen. Stephen Urquhart (R-St. George) says you will still be able to talk on the phone while driving but if you need to punch information into your device then you will need to find another way.
“Voice automated commands are available on most phones and if people have not yet updated their phone then pull over and make the call,” Urquhart said. “It’s just not safe to manipulate the phone and drive at the same time.”
The new bill will update the current texting and driving laws by taking into account all of the other ways people use their phones.
“The current law just says texting so if someone gets pulled over then they say they were doing anything but texting,” he said. “This drafts a broader universe of activity.”
Utah drivers will still be able to use their GPS system while driving and will be allowed to access their phone while stopped at stop signs, lights, etc.
