Battle DUI Law Blog

As Va. Prepares To Enforce Texting While Driving Ban, N.C. Also Passes Ban

As Virginia’s texting while driving ban prepares to go into effect on July 1, our neighbor to the south has joined the many states that have passed a ban on texting while driving.

On June 19, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue signed into a law a bill that would ban drivers from using their cell phones to sent text messages or e-mails while driving.

Currently, thirteen states, including Virginia, and the District of Columbia have bans on drivers sending text messages, which is nearly twice the number of states who had bans in place four months ago, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Those in support of the recently passed legislation say that drivers who send text messages will often look down, become distracted, and/or keep an unstable hold on the steering wheel.

The law would require drivers to either pull over or wait until they have stopped their vehicle before texting or e-mailing. Violation of the law could result in a $100 fine, plus court costs.

School bus drivers, who are already prohibited from using cell phones while driving, would be subject to the ban as well.

The bill, which passed in the Senate 30-18, has exceptions in place for emergency responders and people who use voice-activated technology or access global navigation systems.

Adult drivers using cell phones to make calls are still legal. A law was passed in 2006 barring young drivers from using a cell phone, with few exceptions.