Sec. 36-76.01. Use of personal digital assistants while driving; prohibited; exceptions.1
A. A person shall not operate a motor vehicle on a street while using a personal digital assistant to send or receive a written message while the motor vehicle is in motion.
B. This section does not apply to any of the following:
1. Law enforcement and safety personnel.
2. Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles.
3. Holders of commercial driver licenses while driving within the scope of their employment.
4. Public transit personnel.
5. A person who is reporting reckless or negligent behavior.
6. The use of a personal digital assistant for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation:
a. An emergency response operator.
b. A hospital, physician’s office or health clinic.
c. A provider of ambulance services.
d. A provider of fire fighting services.
e. A law enforcement agency.
7. A person who believes the person is in physical danger if the person is the only adult in the motor vehicle.
C. For purposes of this section, "personal digital assistant" means a wireless electronic communication device that provides for data communication other than by voice.
D. A violation of this section is a nonmoving civil traffic violation.
E. If a person violates this section and the person is not involved in a motor vehicle accident, the person is subject to a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars plus any other penalty assessments authorized by law.
F. If a person violates this section and the person is involved in a motor vehicle accident, the person is subject to a civil penalty of not less than two hundred fifty dollars plus any other penalty assessments authorized by law.
G. If a person is cited for violating this section, the person is involved in a motor vehicle accident and a written accident report is required by law, the law enforcement officer investigating the accident shall indicate on the written accident form the use of a personal digital assistant to send or receive a written message at the time of the accident. (Ord. No. G-4985, § 1, 2007; Ord. No. G-5034, § 1, 2007)