New Indiana Laws Include Teen Driver Cell Phone Ban

Indiana drivers under age 18 will soon be breaking the law if they use a cell phone while driving, as will school bus drivers who fail to make sure all students are off the bus at the end of their routes.

The new laws, which take effect July 1, are among dozens enacted during the regular legislative session that ended April 29. Supporters say they hope the laws better protect the state’s young people.

Those caught ignoring the cell phone ban could face a fine of up to $500. Republican Sen. Thomas Wyss of Fort Wayne, a co-sponsor of the ban, said teens are inexperienced drivers and cell phones are a major distraction. He also said teens should do more than just mail in their fines.

“I would suspect there are going to be areas, and I encourage it, where judges make them come into the courtroom and really answer to the charge,” he said.

School bus drivers also could face $500 fines if they fail to check for children on board at the end of their routes. The law arose after three South Bend students were left on school buses last year and a 4-year-old was left alone inside a parked school bus in Richmond earlier this year.

Topics Personal Auto