Staring today, September 1, 2017, texting while driving is illegal in Texas.
What you need to know:
- The law seeks to target people who are on their phones while driving.
- Police will be on the lookout for drivers whose heads are down and who are swerving.
- If a driver is stopped at a red light or pulled over on the side of the road it is not a violation to be looking at a phone because they are not “operating a vehicle” in that moment.
- Cellphones may be used for GPS navigation and music while driving.
- Using a cell phone while driving to report an “emergency” is okay.
- The penalty for a first offense is $100 and up to $200 for a subsequent offense.
- If you cause and accident while texting you could face a Class A Misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.
