Text Messaging Bans Becoming Popular

from KOMO Seattle TV 4

Hang up or pay up: Using your hands to talk on the phone or tap out a text message while behind the wheel of a car will be illegal next year, in Washington State. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed measures into law, flanked by children who suffered serious injuries after being hit by distracted drivers. Under the new laws, drivers who read and compose text messages or talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device could face a $101 ticket.

The text-messaging ban takes effect in Washington, on Jan. 1; the cell-phone law will be enforced starting in July 2008. Drivers are exempt in some situations, including emergencies, and neither offense will be enough to get a driver pulled over by the police.

from WCAU Greater Phila. TV 10

New Jersey legislators pushed forward a plan to make it illegal to text message while driving.
The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee voted unanimously to release the proposal after several legislators admitted frequently firing off text messages while behind the wheel, even though they know doing so is dangerous.

The proposed bill would fine drivers up to $250 if caught using mobile devices to send text messages. Unlike the state's ban on using a hand-held cell phone while driving, police would be able to stop anyone they see sending text messages while driving. Police can only give tickets for using a hand-held cell phone while driving if they pull over a driver for another reason.

Arizona and Connecticut are among the states considering similar laws to ban text messaging while driving.