
It may soon be illegal to handle your cellphone while behind the wheel as a handheld cellphone bill is nearing final legislative approval. Covington Republican Patrick McMath explained it is illegal in the state to text and drive, but that law is unenforceable.
“That person can turn around and say, ‘I was watching a movie’ or ‘I was my on social media,’ and that’s currently not against the law,” McMath said.
The legislation means that your cell phone cannot be in your hand while driving. McMath told the Senate that handling a cell phone while driving would be a secondary offense and explained to the Senate what that means.
“If an officer observes you speeding and observes you holding your phone like the scenario I gave, he pulls you over for speeding as a primary offense, and the secondary offense could be cited as a violation of this law,” McMath explained.
The Senate approved the House Bill 33-5. Similar bills have failed in previous years, but supporters like McMath says this legislation can help lower auto insurance rates.
“30 some-odd states that this has been passed in, that it reduces the amount of accidents, which reduces the amount of claims, which reduces premiums. So yes,” McMath said.
The measure heads back to the House for approval of Senate amendments and then it will head to the governor’s desk, where Jeff Landry is expected to sign it.
Comments