(A) Except as provided in division (C) below, a person may not drive or operate a motor vehicle on a public street or highway while:
(1) Texting; or
(2) Using a cell phone or other electronic communications device, unless the use is accomplished by hands-free equipment.
(B) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
(1) CELL PHONE. Cellular, analog, wireless or digital telephone.
(2) DRIVING or OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE. Operating a motor vehicle, with the motor running, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays, but does not include operating a motor vehicle after the driver has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway and halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.
(3) ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE. A cell telephone, personal digital assistant, electronic device with mobile data access, laptop computer, pager, broadband personal communication device, two-way messaging device, electronic game, or portable computing device. For the purposes of this section, an ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE does not include:
(a) Voice radios, mobile radios, land mobile radios, commercial mobile radios, or two way radios with the capability to transmit and receive voice transmissions utilizing a push-to-talk or press-to-transmit function; or
(b) Other voice radios used by a law-enforcement officer, an emergency services provider, an employee or agent of public safety organizations, first responders, Amateur Radio Operators (HAM) licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and school bus operators.
(4) ENGAGING IN A CALL. When a person talks into or listens on an electronic communication device, but shall not include when a person dials or enters a phone number on a pushpad or screen to initiate the call.
(5) HANDS-FREE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE. An electronic communication device that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such electronic communication device, by which a user engages in a call without the use of either hand or both hands.
(6) HANDS-FREE EQUIPMENT. The internal feature or function of a handsfree electronic communication device or the attachment or addition to a hands-free electronic communication device by which a user may engage in a call or text without the use of either hand or both hands.
(7) TEXTING.
(a) Manually entering alphanumeric text into, or reading text from, an electronic communication device, and includes, but is not limited to, short message service, e-mailing, instant messaging, a command or request to access a world wide web page, or engaging in any other form of electronic text retrieval or entry, for present or future communication.
(b) For purposes of this section, TEXTING does not include the following actions:
1. Reading, selecting, or entering a telephone number, an extension number, or voicemail retrieval codes and commands into an electronic device by the pressing the device in order to initiate or receive a phone call or using voice commands to initiate or receive a telephone call;
2. Inputting, selecting, or reading information on a global positioning system or navigation system; or
3. Using a device capable of performing multiple functions, including fleet management systems, dispatching devices, smart phones, citizens band radios or music players, for a purpose that is not otherwise prohibited in this section.
(8) USING A CELL PHONE OR OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE. Holding in a person’s hand or hands an electronic communication device while:
(a) Viewing or transmitting images or data;
(b) Playing games;
(c) Composing, sending, reading, viewing, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving or retrieving e-mail, text messages or other electronic data; or
(d) Engaging in a call.
(C) Division (A) above shall not apply to:
(1) A law-enforcement officer, a firefighter, an emergency medical technician, a paramedic or the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle in the performance of their official duties;
(2) A person using an electronic communication device to report to appropriate authorities a fire, a traffic accident, a serious road hazard, or a medical or hazardous materials emergencies; or
(3) The activation or deactivation of hands-free equipment or a function of hands-free equipment.
(D) This section does not supersede the provisions of § 3A, Art. 2, Ch. 17B of this code or any more restrictive provisions for drivers of commercial motor vehicles prescribed by the provisions of Ch. 17E of this code or federal law or rule.
(E) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, points may not be entered on any driver’s record maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicles as a result of a violation of this section, except for the third and subsequent convictions of the offense, for which three points shall be entered on any driver’s record maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
(F) (1) Driving or operating a motor vehicle on a public street or highway while texting shall be enforced as a primary offense.
(2) Driving or operating a motor vehicle on a public street or highway while using a cell phone or other electronic communication device without hands-free equipment shall be enforced as a secondary offense until July 1, 2013, when it shall be enforced as a primary offense for purposes of citation.
(G) (1) Within 90 days of the effective date of this section, the Department of Transportation shall cause to be erected signs upon any highway entering the state of West Virginia on which a “Welcome to West Virginia” sign is posted, and any other highway where the Division of Highways deems appropriate.
(2) The signs shall be posted at a distance of not more than one mile from each border crossing, each sign to bear an inscription clearly communicating to motorists entering the state that texting, or the use of a wireless communication device without hands-free equipment, is illegal within the state.
(H) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to authorize seizure of a cell phone or electronic device by any law enforcement agency.
(I) No policy providing liability coverage for personal lines insurance shall contain a provision which may be used to deny coverage or exclude payment of any legal damages recoverable by law for injuries proximately caused by a violation of this section, as long as such amounts are within the coverage limits of the insured.
(Ord. passed 5-11-2021) Penalty, see § 70.999