A bill drafted by North Carolina legislators has the potential to criminalize the act of using a hand-held communications device while operating a motor vehicle.

Senate Bill 393, which is also known as the Brian Garlock Act, would make that act a misdemeanor punishable by “a fine of not less than $200 and the costs of court.”

The bill was filed in 2015 by Sens. Jeff Tarte and Stan Bingham, but a delay in protocol led to its reintroduction to the legislature last week with revised language.

Attempts to govern the telephone usage of state motorists have been made since before the death of Brian Garlock, who was struck by two vehicles while driving in 2008.

Investigators determined that Garlock had been using a telephone to communicate with his girlfriend and became distracted while attempting to make a left turn.

The American Automobile Association claims that nearly 55,000 crashes and 27,000 related injuries were reported in the state last year as a result of distracted driving.

Motorists in North Carolina are already obligated to follow General Statute 20-137.4A, which outlaws the act of driving while composing or reading electronic messages.

Photo by Melissa Haneline/Post and Courier.

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