North Dakota lawmakers take a peek at distracted driving bill

The North Dakota House Transportation Committee opened up debate Thursday on a bill to change the state’s distracted driving laws.

House Minority Leader Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks, introduced a bill that says a driver “may not engage in an activity that requires the use of the operator’s sight unless that activity involves operating or using the whole motor vehicle or built-in accessory.” A driver would be able to use a voice-operated device, navigational system or an electronic device to obtain emergency assistance or report a crime under Mock’s bill.

The bill would repeal a section of state law that prohibits drivers from composing, reading or sending an electronic message on a “wireless communications device,” but Mock said his intention isn’t to legalize texting while driving. He told the story of a 19-year-old woman who was distracted by her search for a CD in the center console when she was struck and killed by a train near Minot.

“It is merely a small portion of the injuries, accidents and deaths that are caused by one specific use of one technology,” Mock said. “Injuries and deaths do not discriminate based on the type of distraction in the vehicle. And for that reason, I don’t believe our laws should either.”

Read more: http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/north-dakota-lawmakers-take-a-peek-at-distracted-driving-bill/article_f5bd2cb7-67c7-5621-9a25-d57db8f25495.html