It Is Now Illegal to Text While Driving in Alabama

Texting while operating a vehicle is also illegal in Georgia and includes while the vehicle is not in motion, such as stopped at a traffic light.

There are now 38 states with laws against texting:

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

Also all Canadian provinces have similar laws, often covered under their distracted driver laws:

http://handsfreeinfo.com/canadian-cell-phone-law-updates

while driving is ok. my 2 cents.

Now if they'd do something about people that don't use hands free devices while using cellphones in their cars.

The problem is catching the offenders. I am told the police can not be in unmarked cars. Also what happens is the driver will put the phone down when they see the police.

And in some states it's a secondary offense, meaning the officer cannot use it as the main reason the violator was stopped. The officer however can add it to the list of violations at a stop.

I'd imagine the remaining 12 states have yet to address the issue. Could you imagine any of them passing a law that made texting while driving legal?

but need to see some enforcement. I have seen people texting on one phone, while talking on another at the same time. At some point they were driving in their spare time....

Perhaps what we need is training on how to do it safely, I see the Police do it all the time, texting, talking on the mike, searching on the laptop and all while doing 100mph

If the law is the only option then in my next life I want to be a COP so I can text while driving, run red lights at will, and make Dunking Doghnuts my remote office location.

I wonder if using a voice-to-text app., with a hands free device, while driving, is considered texting while driving?

Are there any gps with Bluetooth?

my 2460 has blueooth

Check out the following link to see the extent to which some police departments in Canada are going to to catch districted driviers:

http://www.mobiledia.com/news/138949.html

With the new speed-indicator binoculars, the French cops will check AND fine you on the following:

1. your speed
2. your seatbelt
3. your passengers' seatbelt
4. whether you are holding a phone or something else in your hands.

Point 4 includes a sandwich or other distraction-inducing items. And yes, you can get a ticket for eating while driving, if the agent decides that you are displaying an incorrect or erratic behaviour at the time.

I personally approve the seatbelt, I do my darnedest best to respect speed limits, and I just can't stand the ID10Ts that are not using a hands-free set while driving.

Now I must also admit that my car will beep if the seatbelt isn't fastened, and that the on-brad sound system automatically pairs with my Blackberry when it is in range. SO I won't claim perfection.

But oh Man, I truly hate those people who drive like maniacs while having a discussion with someone "distant" !

flaco, Thank you for the info.

My after market built in navigation has bluetooth and voice activated functions for almost all of the menu programs;Kenwood DNX9980HD
The one thing it does not have is that line that used to bother me;
"Recalculating"
it does it automatically, but does not sat it

there is a cell phone and texting ban, with stiff fines for both the driver and company, if it's found the company condones use of these items to conduct business.

It should be illegal in every state. You should concentrate on one thing while driving and that is DRIVING!!!!!

What are you doing that you can see all that while the cop is driving 100 mph? They never pass me. Always seem to want to follow...

The thing that pisses me off more than anything else after idiots racing in and out of traffic at 80-90 MPH on the 50 MPH Belt Parkway in Eastern Queens NY is the idiots that text while driving.

If I were a judge I would suspend a persons license for 90 days and give them a 5 days in the gray-bar hotel for texting while driving.

Saw a guy brushing his teeth yesterday while in traffic. That should be outlawed too.....

According to news reports, the new Alabama law outlawing texting while operating a motor vehicle will not take effect until August 1, 2012.

The sheriff of a nearby county told reporters he was concerned about enforcement issues when the new law takes effect. He said he knew just observing someone looking at their phone would not be sufficient to convict. He indicated he would be talking to the DA to learn what evidence would be required for a conviction and and the proper ways to obtain that evidence.

After interviewing the sheriff, the reporters set out to see how many folks they could spot who might possibly be texting while driving. They observed a few folks driving while talking on the phone but not a single individual was observed even looking at a phone.

I suspect that a lot of enforcment is going to be secondary. That is, anyone first stopped for a traffic infraction or involved in an accident and who has a phone in the vehicle will find that phone being checked by law enforcement to see if it was being used for texting at the time of the incident.

but do we need to outlaw every one of them?
And to take it a step further is making it against ther law going to stop people from doing it? As Ron White says, " You can't fix stupid."

Text while driving,talking on the phone, any sort of distractions that may cause any accident ,they should be banned.My C550,yes it is a old gps model,but I am I prefer this old model compare to some new model that they do not have bluetooth ,I like very much this features,I know that most of new model they do not have no bluetooth or Mp3 player,that as prevent me to purchase a new model.And let"s face it some model they have the speed limit showing on your gps when the speed limit are posted on the road.to me sound stupid.but that's only my opinion..

I drive a tri-axle dump truck for a living. As a result I sit much higher than cars and can see in a car very easily.

Once on I-495 in Delaware I saw a guy with a tray on his lap, on the tray:

A newspaper folded in half opened to the crossword puzzle, a bowl of food, a cup of something, all this while using an electric razor while looking in the rear view mirror, while going over 65 mph.
.

The Ohio Senate today passed No Texting legislation.
For decades there has already been "Distracted Driving" laws that presumably covers things such as newspapers, applying make-up, eating hamburgers and all manner of things.

Gotta jump on the band wagon for some more feel-good but duplicate laws. It's an election year and they gotta show how they can rationalize getting re-elected.

Personally, I think it is great that texting while driving is being outlawed. However, I still see drivers especially the younger crowd doing it on I-75 and I-285 in Atlanta. Great way to end up as feed for an 18 wheeler!!

Texting and driving is dangerous. I was almost killed last month on my motorcycle when an SUV behind me did not see me making a turn. If I had not seen her in my rear view mirror in time for me to take emergency evasive action, I would not be here today. Texting and driving may be against the law (as in GA where I live), but people still do it and will continue to do it until cell phones prohibit it (preferred) or the penalties for getting caught are the same as DUI.

It should be against the law, everywhere.

Last year, I was at a restaurant where I could watch the traffic at a four way stop intersection. I was shocked how many people were texting, or using their smart phones. Not only that, but most people didn't come to a complete stop. There were plenty of people talking on their phones as well.

I don't drive with my cell phone on. I used to make and take calls, but I realized the calls are not important. I did try texting at red lights a couple of times when it was legal, and that was stupid as well. I'd be the one sitting there when the light was green hosing up traffic.

When I first made the switch to not having my phone on, it was an adjustment for everyone. "What if there's an emergency?" Well, I have my phone and I can call for help. And if it's the case where someone is trying to get a hold of me, I always let people know where I'm going. It wasn't too long ago when everyone and their pet gerbil didn't have a cell phone, so I don't see what the big deal is.

Also illegal in TN, and also while stopped at a red light.

The police should be made to carry "the book of laws", it is probably the largest book in existence, and it may not even fit in the trunk of the cruiser.

Did you know in Alabama oral $ex is against the law even among consenting adults.