Arizona

S.B. 1007, introduced by state Sen. David Farnsworth (R-Mesa) would legalize lane splitting for motorcyclists. In announcing the bill, Farnsworth said lane splitting would help reduce traffic congestion in the ever-expanding metropolitan areas of the state. The bill strikes the clauses in state law that make lane splitting illegal. The bill also directs the Arizona Department of Public Safety to develop educational guidelines for lane splitting. A similar bill was considered in Arizona in 2010, but failed.

Florida

H.B. 33, filed by state Reps. Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa) and Emily Slosberg (D-Boca Raton), would make texting while driving a primary offense, allowing law enforcement officers to stop drivers disobeying the law. Currently, texting while driving is a secondary offense, allowing citations only if the driver is stopped for another violation. H.B. 33 calls for a $30 fine. Second and subsequent violations within five years would be moving violations with $158 in fines and costs and a three-point penalty on the driver’s license.

Iowa

The Cass County Board of Supervisors agreed in November to enact an ordinance that would allow ATV riders to use county roads. The law permits ATVs on county secondary roads if the riders hold a valid driver’s license and have passed an ATV education course through the state Department of Natural Resources. ATVs using county roads must have headlights, taillights and brake lights and display an orange flag that is at least 6 feet above the ground.

South Carolina

State Rep. Bill Taylor (R-Aiken) has pre-filed a bill that would create a DUI-E offense, for “Driving Under the Influence of an Electronic Device.” The bill allows swiping across the screen of a device to unlock it or turn it off. And drivers would be allowed to access Bluetooth capabilities and voice commands. But drivers would be prohibited from holding a phone or other device, typing and sending or reading text messages. The first violation would carry a $100 fine. Second and subsequent violations would carry a $300 fine with an additional two-point driving record penalty.