New York State Bans Texting

As of November 1, 2009, New York State's law against texting while driving went into effect. The new law forbids the use of mobile devices for reading, typing and sending text messages while driving. Fines can be as much as $150. It does not apply to GPS or "hands free" phone use.

It is however, only a secondary offense. That means that in order to be ticketed for texting, a primary offense such as speeding or disobeying a traffic signal must occur first. You cannot be pulled over and ticketed just for texting behind the steering wheel.

If that is a comfort to some diehard enthusiasts of the practice, consider this video below. Produced by the Gwent Police Department in Wales, it shows the bloody outcome of texting while driving. It is very graphic in nature but illustrates the possible hazards of distracted driving.

In total, 18 states plan to have texting-while-driving bans on the books by January, 2010. But only New York and Washington state have the bans listed as secondary enforcement.

"Secondary enforcement is really sending the wrong message to the public," said Judith Stone, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. "It's basically saying this law is not that important."

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