Texting and Smartphone usage while driving banned – see if your breaking the law in your state?
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Texting while driving seems to be one of the fastest growing hot topics of late. With the extreme popularity of smartphones, like BlackBerry, on the rise, users find themselves even more distracted.  With the abilityof not only being contacted via text messaging and emails, but with a vast number of social network and instant messaging applications, smartphone users find themselves constantly bombarded with message alerts, that they feel compelled to answer. Federal, State, and local officials have begun to put into place a growing number of laws that ban users from using their mobile devices while driving.  Fines can range up to $150.00 if you get caught trying to update your Facebook page. So what States have a ban in place??? Â
Current state cell phone driving law highlights include the following:
- Handheld Cell Phone Bans for All Drivers: 6 states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington), the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while driving.
- With the exception of Washington State, these laws are all primary enforcement—an officer may ticket a driver for using a handheld cell phone while driving without any other traffic offense taking place.Â
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- All Cell Phone Bans: No state completely bans all types of cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for all drivers, but many prohibit cell phone use by certain segments of the population.
- Novice Drivers: 21 states and the District of Columbia ban all cell use by novice drivers.
- School Bus Drivers: In 17 states and the District of Columbia, school bus drivers are prohibited from all cell phone use when passengers are present.
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- Text Messaging: 18 states and the District of Columbia now ban text messaging for all drivers.
- Novice Drivers: 9 states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
- School Bus Drivers:1 state restricts school bus drivers from texting while driving.
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- Preemption Laws: 8 states have laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions. In 6 other states, localities are allowed to ban cell phone use.
- Some states, such as Maine, New Hampshire and Utah treat cell phone use as a larger distracted driving issue.
This is a summary of states and their current driving and texting laws. If you would like to see a detailed list of State by State  laws, and what could happen if you get caught violating them. Go to the Governers Highway Safety Assocation website.
