Inattentive driving and providing a penalty

2. A person may not drive a motor vehicle equipped with any device for receiving a television broadcast if the device is located forward of the back of the driver's seat or is visible to the driver, regardless of whether the device interferes with the safe driving of the vehicle.

3. A person may not drive a motor vehicle while composing or sending an electronic text message or an electronic mail message, subject to limited exceptions.

Any person who is convicted of a violation described in item 1. or 3., above, may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $400, and any person who is convicted of a violation described in item 2., above, may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $40 for a first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for a second or subsequent offense within one year.

This bill modifies the existing forms of inattentive driving described in items 1. and 2., above, and creates a fourth form of inattentive driving. The bill modifies the violation described in item 1., above, to prohibit a driver of a motor vehicle from being engaged or occupied with an activity, other than driving the vehicle, that interferes or reasonably appears to interfere with the person's ability to drive the vehicle safely. The bill also modifies the violation described in item 2., above, by expanding the prohibition to include devices for visually displaying live or recorded cable television and satellite broadcasts, films, or other fluctuating video images, but also limits the prohibition by excluding certain vehicles and devices.

The bill also creates a fourth form of inattentive driving prohibiting a person from driving a motor vehicle while operating or being in a position to directly observe any electronic device located within the vehicle that is activated and that is transmitting information or providing entertainment primarily by visual means, regardless of whether the device interferes with the safe driving of the vehicle. This prohibition does not apply to certain vehicles and devices and does not apply if the third form of inattentive driving described in item 3., above, including its exceptions, is applicable. Any person who is convicted of a violation of this prohibition is subject to the same forfeiture that applies to a violation described in item 2., above, under current law.