Is texting while you are driving a law anywhere?

Question

There was an accident around here the other day and the man admitted that he was texting; however, they could not charge him with that because it is not against the law.....yet. They ended up charging him with DWI (even though he was not under the influence). They had to charge him with something. Just wondering if it is against the law anywhere in the U.S.

Answer 1

DWI for texting? That will never fly in court. Any stupid lawyer will have that charge removed.

However, you can be ticketed for not paying attention. Different states will have a different law, but you are supposed to pay attention and there are plenty of laws any officer can use to show that. Any except DWI.

Answer 2

california. if your even talking on the phone youll get a ticket. corrupted as h**l!!!!

Answer 3

There are a lot of states that will ticket you for any cell phone "OPERATION" ( texting, talking, or viewing your email). I agree with this as your attention should be on the road and not on the phone. What I don't understand is: How can you charge someone with such a serious crime as DWI when they were doing nothing more than texting on their phone? A DWI charge is very serious and will be on your record forever not to mention the driving school and safety courses and fines you'll have to pay especially if it is a second or third offense, there could also be mandatory jail time in some states. Sounds a little fishy to me!

Answer 4

Four states - Alaska, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington - recently enacted laws that ban sending text messages while driving.

Thirteen other states are reportedly considering similar legislation.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, that idiotic practice is not specifically prohibited in most places.  However, there is no reason a person can't be charged with a serious offence such as dangerous driving, driving while impeded, or even, after an accident, reckless driving.

Answer 6

Personally, I think the use of cell phones in a vehicle at all should be heavily fined!

What's so damned important that can't wait 15 minutes?  Why risk the lives of countless other people to talk about non-sense that can wait?!

Answer 7

In Wisconsin, its not illegal, but I think it should be illegal to do ANYTHING on a cell phone while driving (Talking, texting, etc.) You could end up not paying attention and crash. Very dangerous act to do while driving. It should be illegal in all states in my opinion.