Senate passes bill clarifying manual phone use while driving; 'save the selfie' language retained

The Utah Senate passed a third substitute to Senate Bill 102 to clarify when a driver may manually use a wireless communications device. Sponsor Senator Wilson told colleagues the revised text bans taking selfies or otherwise manually manipulating a handheld device while operating a vehicle, but preserves automated functions and exceptions for reporting emergencies.

Senator Wilson said the change responds to concerns raised by stakeholders and telecoms and aims to make the statute easier to enforce. On the floor, senators posed hypothetical scenarios to test the language: one asked whether passive recording begun before driving would be covered; the sponsor said passive recording without manual manipulation would not violate the rule, noting the law targets manual inputs.

Other senators requested confirmation that commercial‑vehicle communications and two‑way radios would be exempt; the sponsor said the bill preserves necessary exemptions for public‑safety and commercial communications. After discussion the Senate approved the third substitute by roll call, 24 yay, 4 nay, 1 absent. The bill will proceed as recorded.

The sponsor said during debate: "Save the selfie until you are not driving," a succinct summary of the manual‑manipulation prohibition.