Utah bill aims to cut down on distracted driving

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah lawmaker says current state law against texting and driving isn’t powerful enough.

St. George Republican Sen. Steven Urqhart brings a proposal that would make it illegal to dial a phone number or look up an address while driving.

Under the proposal, adults would have to pull over to tap on their devices but could still talk on cell phones while they drive.

Current Utah law prohibits texting. But Urquhart says there’s not much difference between texting and dialing because in both cases, driver’s eyes are not on the road. He says his bill would make the current law easier to enforce.

The Deseret News reports it would still allow drivers to use hands-free devices.

The proposal goes to a Senate committee for the first round of approval.

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