The bills allow police to use a violation of the handsfree law as the sole or primary reason to make a traffic stop. The bills also received an additional 11 Republican votes Tuesday, for a total of 15 Republican members voting in support. They also worried the new law would be used to make targeted traffic stops of minority communities.Īll but one of the nine Democratic lawmakers who voted against the measure last week changed their vote to a yes on Tuesday. Some Democratic lawmakers had expressed opposition to the package in the past because of concerns over how it would affect minority and low-income communities that may not be able to afford the blue tooth systems or car mounts allowed for under the handsfree law. Lawmakers are hoping for quick passage through the Senate and enough Republican support in the upper chamber that it would be able to take immediate effect ahead of the summer months, when traffic fatalities usually increase. Similar versions of the distracted driving bills have been introduced in the House over the past five legislative sessions. Prior efforts have stalled in the Senate. Tuesday's vote marked the third time similar legislation moved through the lower chamber, according to legislative records.
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