Is it illegal to text someone who is driving?

1. Texting and driving is banned in most states. In fact, only in very few states is it legal to text and drive. In 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is illegal for any driver to text and drive.

What happens to people who text and drive?

If you kill or injure someone while texting and driving (or using your phone illegally in another way), you could face much higher fines, jail time, and license suspension. Distracted driving can result in far worse penalties than even high fines, jail time, and loss of driving priviledges.

Why should texting while driving be illegal?

Of all the activities associated with distracted driving, sending text messages is the most dangerous. A person is 23 times more likely to have a motor vehicle crash while sending a text message than if they were only driving. That number towers over the other activities associated with distracted driving.

What states have texting while driving laws?

The states that currently have a prohibition on texting while driving are as follows:

• Alabama.
• Alaska.
• Arkansas (except in emergencies)
• California.
• Colorado.
• Connecticut.
• Delaware.
• D.C.

In what states is it illegal to text while driving?

Text Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers.

How does texting and driving put others at risk?

Even if you don’t carry passengers in your car, when you’re distracted by texting, you put other motorists at risk. Not being able to focus on your surroundings means you risk the safety of pedestrians as well as other drivers.

What are the dangers of texting?

General Cell Phone Statistics Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.

What can be done to prevent drivers from texting while driving?

Put your phone out of reach, such as in the glove box, back seat or trunk. Pull over and park safely if you need to use your phone to talk or text. Make a pledge to your family to never text or talk on the phone while driving. As a passenger, speak up if the driver starts texting or talking on his phone.

When did texting while driving become illegal?

January 1, 2009
Beginning in July 2008, cellular phone use was restricted to hands free for drivers 18 years and older and prohibited for drivers under 18 years of age. As of January 1, 2009 all drivers are prohibited from texting while driving a vehicle. Here are some important points related to the laws.

Why Should cellphones be illegal while driving?

The policy reason for banning the use of handheld devices while driving is to reduce the risk of motor vehicle collisions. Drivers who remove their eyes from the road and take their hands off the wheel to use a phone can cause an accident in just a matter of seconds.