The Senate of Rhode Island has passed two bills relating two driver safety, one connected to the use of mobile phones while driving, and the other has to do with the increase of enforcement of the use of seat belts.
The proposal for the use of cell phones would make it illegal for drivers younger than the age of 21 to use their devices. It will still be permitted for drivers of all ages to use hands-free devices. There will be a fine of up to $100 for violators of this law.
The bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of 36 to 1. It will now be progressing to the House for their deliberation. It was sponsored by Senator Frank Lombardo. He stated that there were too many collisions that resulted from distracted drivers who were using their mobile devices, and that the vast majority of these offenders were young drivers. There is already a ban on texting while behind the wheel within that state.
On the other hand, the seat belt bill passed by a vote of 25 to 13 in the Senate. It permits police officers to pull over a driver who is not wearing a seatbelt, and to issue a fine. There is already a law in Rhode Island that requires that all motorists to have to wear a seatbelt, but it is considered to be a secondary offense. This means that drivers could only receive a ticket if they have already been pulled over for another offense such as speeding.
