Texting and driving law prohibits the use of electronic devices to read, write, or send text messages, emails, instant messages, and similar types of communication while operating a vehicle. State and local governments are the institutions regulating texting and driving, just like other traffic laws. Thus, the legal implications of texting and driving will depend on the laws of local and state jurisdictions.

In many states, there is a law banning texting while driving. Moreover, many counties and municipalities also created laws against texting and driving. Drivers who take their eyes off the road for reading, writing, or sending texts, pose an extreme danger for themselves and the drivers around them. That is why traffic laws against texting while driving have multiplied quickly in recent years.

In some states where the laws on texting while driving are not yet strict, only young or novice drivers are prohibited from texting on the road. Moreover, other states prohibit texting when driving for drivers in public transit or school buses. If you are not sure about the law in your state, consult its texting while driving laws. In most cases, even if there is no explicit ban on texting while driving, doing so will make you violate distracted driving laws, which prohibit many activities while on the road.

In those states where texting while driving laws are enforced, the driver may be pulled over even if the officer notices no other violation of traffic laws. The punishment for offenses depends on your jurisdiction and may include fees, growing with every new offense, as well as points against your driver’s license. In the event texting while driving causes a traffic accident, you may be cited for a more serious offense, such as reckless driving.

Consulting your state regarding their texting while driving laws and speaking to an attorney specializing in traffic tickets will help you get acknowledged with the law and understand your responsibilities if you violate it.