Utah Governor to Decide Fate of Distracted Driving Bill
The legislation, which the Utah Senate and House approved this month, expands restrictions on driver use of handheld wireless electronic devices.
by Staff
March 19, 2014
UTAH GOV. GARY R. HERBERT
1 min to read
UTAH GOV. GARY R. HERBERT
The Utah House on March 13 approved a measure that prohibits use of a handheld wireless electronics device – including a cell phone – to compose, send or read a written communication while driving.
The Utah Senate passed the measure earlier that week, so now the bill awaits a decision from Gov. Gary R. Herbert.
Ad Loading...
The state already prohibits texting while driving. But under this bill’s provisions, drivers also could not legally read or send instant messages or e-mail, dial phone numbers, access the Internet, view or record videos, or enter data on a handheld wireless device while they’re operating a moving vehicle.
Drivers could still operate handheld wireless phones and devices for voice communication, to view a GPS or navigation system, or to report an emergency or crime to authorities.
Hands-free or voice-command operation of a wireless device would not be subject to the measure’s restrictions. On-duty emergency service and law enforcement personnel would also be exempt.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.