Texting and driving in Texas has been illegal under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251 since 2017, but the use of a cell phone is not completely prohibited. While cell phone use nationwide is still legal, more than 60 cities in the state have passed their own laws that make it illegal. These cities have signs informing drivers of the law when they cross city limits. For example, Texas` texting and driving law only prohibits texting and driving while driving a moving vehicle. However, it expressly authorizes the same activity when a vehicle is stopped. Therefore, it appears that Texas law does not prohibit a driver from texting when stopped at a red light or stop sign. This can make pedestrians, cyclists and others disagree with accidents because drivers lose focus when texting. Once the traffic light turns green, they need to refocus their attention and become more prone to making bad decisions. By taking legal action to claim these damages, victims can receive compensation for: No one is immune to the temptation to stare at a screen while driving. What was once seen primarily as irresponsible, risk-taking teenage behavior has now become a problem that involves all generations of drivers and screen users. While teens and new drivers are still the most at-risk group, adults of all ages often engage in forms of distracted driving that involve cell phone use. In general, it is illegal not to use a hands-free mobile device while a motor vehicle is on the road in Texas.

That means you can`t talk, text, read and email, check your Facebook status, or do anything else on your smartphone or tablet while driving. There are some exceptions to the legislation, which we will discuss shortly. Texas currently has several laws on its books that relate to cell phone use while driving. Texas has not banned the use of handheld devices while driving, but many individual municipal ordinances in the Lone Star State prohibit the use of cell phones for drivers. For this reason, all drivers should familiarize themselves not only with Texas` cell phone laws, but also with those of the local jurisdictions they may pass through on their trips. Texas lawmakers take distracted driving accidents seriously. Causing an accident due to any form of distracted driving – including texting or any other type of email message – could result in costly fines and/or jail time. The penalty for serious injury or death while texting and driving is a fine of up to $4,000 against the driver. A Texas courtroom could also sentence the guilty driver to up to a year in jail in the county. A driver could spend up to 365 days behind bars texting while driving in Texas. A year in prison could change someone`s life. This could lead to the loss of a job and the breakdown of relationships with friends and family members.

The driver may also have a permanent criminal record for negligently or recklessly causing serious injury or death. A criminal record could make it more difficult to find a job and housing. If the driver had a job driving a motor vehicle, such as a commercial driver, they may lose their job and/or driver`s licence. No driver should use a text message, email or other handheld cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. The risks are too great to be worth a message from the driver. The only exceptions to Texas` cell phone laws are emergencies. There are hands-free kits and technologies that help drivers avoid texting while driving. Drivers can download apps or use in-device features, such as Do Not Disturb While Driving, to control the urge to text. A few preventative measures could save a life. Distracted driving can be a big problem, although it`s difficult to keep track of the number of driving-related incidents. Current voice and text laws in Texas have several exceptions and other limitations that you should also be aware of: Distracted driving is anything that distracts the driver from the road.

New cell phone laws in Texas have been structured to minimize the risk of distracted driving throughout the state. To prove that he texted while driving beyond a reasonable doubt, there would have to be hard evidence in addition to a police officer`s statement about what he saw, as what he saw could be a number of things, but he or she assumed they were text messages while driving. A police officer must have a search warrant to obtain your cell phone to verify ongoing activity, and to do so, they must have a probable reason. If you have your head or knee on the wheel, it is not enough to issue a search warrant. State lawmakers are aware of the dangers posed by cell phones, but passing laws can take time. State Senator Judith Zaffrini is a driving force when it comes to passing sensible and distracted distracted driving laws. Your Senate Bill 43 is currently before us and, if passed, will make it illegal to use hand-held devices while driving nationally. In addition to these difficulties in obtaining evidence of SMS, there are also defensive measures that can be implemented in a defense strategy if appropriate and applicable. Two of these defenses include: While these are good defenses for an SMS and a driving load, only a smart, thoughtful, and aggressive defense will ensure the desired and necessary result. The latter requires an experienced defense attorney who will assemble your defense strategy through thorough investigation of the facts and judicious law enforcement. Injuries caused by someone who violates Texas` new cell phone driving laws are eligible for compensation.

Every driver has a duty to drive safely and obey the law. You can`t send or receive text messages while driving in Texas, but you can use your navigation system. If a law enforcement officer suspects you`re texting while driving, they can stop you. In Texas, distracted driving is unreasonably dangerous driving behavior that can cause an accident and make the driver and other guilty parties liable. In other words, victims of an accident caused by any kind of distracted driving — not just texting and driving — may have the right to sue for damages. New drivers in Texas are not allowed to use cell phones. This law covers the first six months of driving and covers all forms of mobile phone use. To reduce the incidence of tragic crashes related to texting and driving, many states have enacted strict laws against texting and driving and have launched campaigns to encourage drivers to focus on road safety when traveling. Currently, 48 of the 50 U.S. have banned texting and driving.

25 states have also taken these laws to the next level by banning the use of handheld devices while driving. For more information on our online course on defensive driving or to register, feel free to browse our website and select Texas for state. All our courses are mobile-friendly and can be completed at your own pace. Feel free to call Ticket School at (800) 558-9887 if you have any further questions or need help deciding which online road safety course to take. statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm#545.425 As of September 1, 2017, texting and driving in Texas is illegal. That means no text messages, no emails, no Facebook, no Instagram. Nothing. Unless you can use your phone when you`re hands-free to listen to music, use GPS, or contact emergency responders. There are serious concerns about using smartphones while driving, and the main concern is that it`s a clear distraction that causes accidents ranging from wing curvatures to fatal crashes. If you texted while driving, it is automatically assumed that you caused the accident. You will also receive a ticket for the same. If someone died in this accident, you could face other very serious charges, such as negligent homicide or worse: manslaughter, a felony punishable by severe penalties.

Meanwhile, Texas actively supports campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving. These initiatives include: States that share a border with Texas have similar distracted driving laws, so there`s a good chance that if you cross the border, maintaining your current cell phone habits will keep you away from hot water. While passing these laws is a step in the right direction to reduce the incidence of distracted injuries and deaths, texting and driving continue to pose a serious threat to the safety of drivers and passengers on Texas roads. An offence is a misdemeanor, it is not an offence or a simple contravention, but a criminal record. It is not harmless. You have to fight against that. You should know that the state has to prove that you texted while driving, and this can be a difficult task. capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=SB43 Texas Driving SMS Act provides a blanket ban on using a portable electronic device to send, read or write electronic messages while driving.

The law covers SMS as well as emails, instant messages, Facebook chats, and other forms of text communication. In an interview about the new law, Texas Department of Transportation Executive Director James Bass said distracted driving causes 20 percent of car accidents in the state.