JULY 7,2014
PAGE 3
RTATION
P enforces texting law
HAMMOND
an.com
highway Patrol's 10-day enforcement initiative began
is putting special emocating drivers violating sitting while driving law citations to those who are in violation.
highway Patrol lieutenant german said he hopes the encourages people to put phones while they drive.
is to enforce the law as it and to make the high- Kellerman said. "That is in, simple goal is to make y safer, and getting peo- own their phone is going."
w prohibits "using a wireless communication device to manually type, send or read a written communication" while driving. The law notes written communication as including, but not limited to, a text message, instant message or electronic mail.
However, people do not just use their phones for written communication purposes, which makes the law difficult to enforce, Kellerman said.
Troopers enforce it on a case-bycase basis because while the law does address some other uses for phones, it does not speak to uses such as social media.
According to the Kansas Statute regarding exceptions to the texting while driving law, the law does not apply to:
1) Law enforcement officers or emergency service personnel acting
within the scope of their employment;
2) A motor vehicle stopped off the regular traveled portion of the road;
3) A person who reads, selects or enters a telephone number or name for the purpose of making or receiving a phone call;
4) A person who receives an emergency, traffic or weather alert message;
5) A person receiving a message related to the operation or navigation of the vehicle.
Just because he sees a person using his or her phone while operating a vehicle does not mean he can pull that person over for violating the state's texting while driving law, Kellerman said.
Troopers must determine that a
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