§ 27-51-1503 — Definitions

As used in this subchapter: (1) "Access, read, or post to a social networking site" means using a wireless telecommunications device to interact with a web-based service that allows a person to: (A) Construct a profile within a bounded system; (B) Articulate a list of other members with whom the person shares a connection; and (C) Communicate with other members of the site; (2) (A) "Operate a motor vehicle" or "operating a motor vehicle" means operating a motor vehicle on a public road, street, or highway. (B) "Operate a motor vehicle" or "operating a motor vehicle" does not include driving or operating a motor vehicle that has been pulled over to the side of or off of a public road, street, or highway and stopped by the driver in a location where the motor vehicle may safely remain stationary; (3) "Serious physical injury" means physical injury that: (A) Creates a substantial risk of death; or (B) Causes protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of health, or loss or protracted impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ; (4) "Texting" means reading from or manually entering data into a wireless telecommunications device, including doing so for the purpose of SMS texting, emailing, instant messaging, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication; and (5) (A) "Wireless telecommunications device" means a cellular telephone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a stand-alone computer, or a substantially similar wireless device that is readily removable from the vehicle and is used to write, send, or read text or data through manual input. (B) "Wireless telecommunications device" does not include a: (i) Citizens band radio; (ii) Citizens band radio hybrid; (iii) Commercial two-way radio communication device or any device with push-to-talk capabilities used in a similar manner as a citizens band radio or a citizens band radio hybrid; (iv) Two-way radio transmitter or receiver used by a licensee of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service; or (v) Hands-free wireless telecommunications device.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2023, No. 445,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2019, No. 738,§ 3, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 577,§ 3, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2017, No. 706,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2017. Acts 2009, No. 181, § 1.