Utah Legislature: Teen cell phone bill passes Senate

SALT LAKE CITY — After days of legislative ring-around-the-rosy, the Senate passed a bill Friday that targets teen use of cell phones while driving.

For a third time, Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, introduced SB113 final vote. It would ban teenagers from talking on cell phones behind the wheel.

Romero again amended his bill, this time adding an exception for talking to a parent.

The violation would be a secondary offense, so a teen driver could only be cited for using a phone if he or she caught doing something else illegal. There is also an exception for emergencies.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

— Josh Smith