Utah Legislature: Senate passes cell phone driving ban

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 (le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SB0113.htm) 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 were caught doing something else illegal. There is also an exception for emergencies.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

— Josh Smith