Texting while Driving Laws

We human beings have some default mechanism in our minds that inspires us to prove the law wrong and adjust our habits as per our convenience. Even though driving laws have been in function, in almost all states of US, drivers still hold their cell phones down to their waists (instead of holding them at the top, near steering wheels), to text messages. Mocking the laws further leads to tragic accidents. It can't be denied that laws do play good role in discouraging drivers from using cell phone in cars however, they're beneficial only up to a certain level.

An Overview

Just imposing cell phone and driving laws are not very useful. We have to give drivers technologies that can help them interact with others without getting distracted while driving. Numerous apps must be developed that informs the person on the call that the driver is busy driving and so he or she can't take up the call. This will also eliminate complains of closed ones that you're ignoring them and not picking up their calls! There are such applications like voice messages that can inform people calling that you're driving.

State	Texting Ban*
Alabama	Drivers age 16 and 17-year-old having intermediate license for less than 6 months.
Alaska	All Drivers
Arizona	No
Arkansas	All Drivers
California	All Drivers
Colorado	All Drivers
Connecticut	All Drivers
Delaware	All Drivers
Florida	No
Georgia	All Drivers
Hawaii	No
Idaho	No
Illinois	All Drivers
Indiana	Drivers less than 18 years of age
Iowa	All Drivers
Kansas	All Drivers
Kentucky	All Drivers
Louisiana	All Drivers
Maine	Those having learner's permit and intermediate license holders
Maryland	No
Massachusetts	All Drivers
Michigan	All Drivers
Minnesota	All Drivers
Mississippi	Those having learner's permit and intermediate license holders
Missouri	Drivers aged 21 years and younger
Montana	No
Nebraska	All Drivers
Nevada	No
New Hampshire	All Drivers
New Jersey	All Drivers
New Mexico	No
New York	All Drivers
North Carolina	All Drivers
North Dakota	No
Ohio	No
Oklahoma	School bus drivers and public transport system, intermediate license holders and those having permit
Oregon	All Drivers
Pennsylvania	No
Rhode Island	All Drivers
South Carolina	No
South Dakota	No
Tennessee	All Drivers
Texas	For intermediate license holders for first twelve months; for drivers in school crossing zone and drivers who contain passengers less than 17 years of age
Utah	All Drivers
Vermont	All Drivers
Virginia	All Drivers
Washington	All Drivers
West Virginia	Drivers under 18 years license possessing intermediate license or a learner's permit
Wisconsin	All Drivers
Wyoming	All Drivers

^{* - These laws are just for reference and may have minute variations. Readers are requested to consult official website of government to ensure about updated laws.}

Facts about Laws Regarding Cell Phones Usage in US

• Following 9 states have imposed a ban of using hand held cell phones in the US. These are as follows: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The District of Columbia has also put a ban on using hand held phones in its jurisdiction.
• Statistics reveal that texting is banned for all types of drivers in almost 30 states of US, including the District of Columbia.
• Those who're beginners in driving are banned from texting in nearly 8 states that include Alabama, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.
• In Oklahoma and Texas, school bus drivers are banned for texting while driving.

It has to be understood that laws against texting while driving are much more complex in their designing than they appear to be. Depending on every state, categorization of violation of texting may vary significantly. In many states, traffic control officers must have a reason for stopping your vehicle before they cite that you have been using cell phone during driving. This may include rash or negligent driving, breaking the speed barrier and defying other driving safety laws. One of the texting while driving facts is that more than 50% of teenagers accept that they do texting while driving. Governments are imposing numerous driving laws to ensure safety of people. Moreover, awareness about dangers of using cell phone while driving must also be spread amongst teenagers and regular drivers.