What you need to know about Texas cell phone driving laws

Driving while talking on a cell phone or using a handheld device to send or receive emails or text messages is known as “distracted driving”.  Law enforcement officials and legislators, concerned about the number of accidents attributed to distracted driving, are cracking down across the country with laws aimed at curtailing cell phone use behind the wheel.

 

A number of studies have been published in recent years claiming that not only does cell phone use increase a driver’s chance of causing a car or truck accident, but talking on the phone is akin to driving while intoxicated.  Given the seriousness of this statement it is no wonder that cell phone use has been the target of lawmakers.

 

Texas does not have a blanket ban or restriction on the use of cell phones by drivers.  However, they do have restrictions on certain types of drivers.  In addition, these restrictions are primary enforcement laws which means that a motorist can be pulled over and cited if they are seen using a cell phone while driving (some states classify these offenses as secondary enforcement, so drivers can only be cited if pulled over for another reason).

 

In Texas, bus drivers may not use a cell phone or send / receive text messages while driving one or more passengers under the age of 17.  Novice drivers are similarly restricted, and may not use a cell phone or send / receive text messages during the intermediate stage of the licensing process for the first six months.