Nebraska Legislators Consider Texting Ban, Tougher Seatbelt Law
The proposed driver texting ban would carry a first-offense penalty of $200. The proposed change to the seatbelt law would reclassify a violation as a primary offense.
by Staff
January 19, 2014
Legislation seeking to ban driver texting is now under consideration in Nebraska. Photo: AAA.
2 min to read
Legislation seeking to ban driver texting is now under consideration in Nebraska. Photo: AAA.
Nebraska legislators are considering a bill that would make violation of the seatbelt law a primary, rather than a secondary, offense. Moreover, the bill would prohibit drivers from texting with a handheld device when their vehicle is in motion.
The bill exempts law enforcement officers, firefighters, ambulance drivers and other emergency workers from the texting ban, as long as they’re conducting such wireless communications in the course of their official duties.
Ad Loading...
The bill’s texting ban covers use of a “handheld wireless communication device to read a written communication, manually type a written communication, or send a written communication while operating a motor vehicle which is in motion.”
Violators of the texting ban would be fined and assessed points on their license. A first offense would result in a $200 fine. A second offense would carry a $300 fine. Subsequent offenses would result in a $500 fine.
The bill’s proposed change to the seatbelt law would make the requirement subject to primary enforcement, rather than secondary enforcement. As such, a police officer would be able to stop and ticket a driver for a seatbelt violation alone, even if no other traffic violation was observed. Currently, law enforcement officers can issue a citation for a seatbelt violation only if the driver is seen committing another “primary” offense.
These proposed changes to the state’s vehicle code have drawn the support of AAA, the Nebraska Safety Council and the National Safety Council’s Nebraska office, KIOS News reported. To download the bill, click here.
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
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.
