Utah Lawmakers Lower Distracted Driving Penalty, But Police Warn It's Still Illegal

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Despite state lawmakers passing a bill this year to lower the penalty for distracted driving in Utah, police want people to know it's still a problem and it's still illegal. In fact, they shared with KSL some dead giveaways that make distracted drivers easy to spot, like people eating a bowl of cereal while behind the wheel.

Why it matters

Distracted driving remains a major public safety concern in Utah, with police continuing to observe dangerous behaviors on the roads even after the state reduced penalties for the offense. Identifying and addressing distracted driving is crucial to protect all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

The details

Sgt. Aymee Race with the Utah Police Department said they've seen people doing all kinds of distracting activities while driving, including eating a bowl of cereal. Other telltale signs of distracted drivers include weaving between lanes, braking suddenly, and looking down at their laps instead of the road ahead.

• In 2026, Utah state lawmakers passed a bill to lower the penalty for distracted driving.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Police say they will continue to monitor and enforce distracted driving laws in Utah, despite the reduced penalties, in order to promote public safety.