Improving Driver Safety Act of 2015

To amend title 23, United States Code, to improve highway safety and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Driver Safety Act of 2015 2. Distracted driving incentive grants Section 405(e) of title 23, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting includes distracted driving issues as part of the State’s driver’s license examination and any State that (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (D) does not provide for an exception that specifically allows a driver to text through a personal wireless communication device while stopped in traffic. ; (3) in paragraph (3)— (A) by striking subparagraph (C); (B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C); (C) in subparagraph (C)(ii), as redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (D) by adding at the end the following: (D) does not provide for an exception that specifically allows a driver younger than 18 years of age to use a personal wireless communication device while stopped in traffic. ; (4) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking section 31152 section 31136 (5) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows: (6) Distracted driving enforcement grants (A) In general The Secretary may use up to 50 percent of the amounts available for grants under this subsection to award grants to any State that— (i) in fiscal year 2016— (I) has a basic text messaging statute, as determined by the Secretary, that— (aa) is applicable to drivers of all ages; and (bb) makes violation of the basic text messaging statute a primary offense; (II) participates in the annual distracted driving law enforcement mobilization coordinated by the Secretary; and (III) is otherwise ineligible for a grant under this subsection; (ii) in fiscal year 2017— (I) meets the requirements under clause (i); (II) imposes increased fines for repeat violations; and (III) has a statute that prohibits drivers who are younger than 18 years of age from using a personal wireless communications device while driving. (B) Use of grant funds (i) In general Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), amounts received by a State under subparagraph (A) may be used for activities related to the enforcement of distracted driving laws. (ii) Fiscal year 2016 In fiscal year 2016, up to 15 percent of the amounts received by a State under subparagraph (A) may be used for any eligible project or activity under section 402. (iii) Fiscal year 2017 In fiscal year 2017, up to 25 percent of the amounts received by a State under subparagraph (A) may be used for any eligible project or activity under section 402. ; and (6) in paragraph (9)(A)(i), by striking , including operation while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or stop sign, or otherwise 3. Barriers to data collection report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives (1) identifies any legal and technical barriers to capturing adequate data on the prevalence of wireless communications devices while driving; and (2) provides recommendations on how to address such barriers.

Summary: Improving Driver Safety Act of 2015 This bill adds a new requirement for distracted driving grants to states under national priority highway safety programs. To receive a grant a state's prohibition on texting while driving must: include distracted driving issues as part of their driver's license examination, and not make an exception that specifically allows a driver, especially one under age 18, to text through a personal wireless communication device while stopped in traffic. DOT may use up to 50% of amounts available for grants to states that: in FY2016 certify that they have enacted a basic text messaging statute for drivers of all ages, make violation of the statute a primary offense, participate in the annual distracted driving law enforcement mobilization, and are otherwise ineligible for a grant; and in FY2017 meet the aforementioned requirements, impose increased fines for repeat violations, and have a statute that prohibits a driver younger than 18 from using a personal wireless communications device while driving. States may use grant funds for: enforcement of distracted driving laws, and highway safety program projects. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall report to Congress on any legal and technical barriers to capturing data on the prevalence of the use of wireless communications devices while driving, including recommendations on how to address those barriers.