Text messaging while driving now illegal in Alaska
Published Monday, September 1, 2008
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Stumble It!ANCHORAGE — Driving-while-typing is now illegal in Alaska.
The state’s ban on text messaging while driving officially took effect Monday. It’s still legal to read text messages while driving, but not to type them.
Like the state’s seat belt law, it is considered a primary offense, so an officer can pull a driver over if he or she suspects the driver is typing on an electronic device. But unlike other traffic violations, driving while texting could land a driver in jail.
Texting behind the wheel is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and one year in jail. If a driver hurts or kills someone or causes a crash that kills someone, the offense is increased to a felony.
Alaska is the fifth state to adopt such a law.
Community Discussion
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It's about time!
Give me a break. There are already laws against negligent and reckless driving. A duplicative law like this is only for the PC-minded out there. Why not make it illegal to smoke, listen to the radio, eat, or yell at your kids while driving, too? Ridiculous waste of state resources. And on top of it - it gives just one more reason for the police to pull people over to check on you. You really think they care if you're texting? No. They want a reason to check to see if you're doing something else. Asinine law.
gopking-
Again, right on.
I also agree with gopking.
I've never typed while driving. But I have at stop lights and stop signs.
Now I can't even text responsibly.
Geez, I'd write a longer comment but the light is about to turn green.
But babbling on a cell phone while driving is still perfectly legal. Never mind that study after study show it to be as dangerous as driving drunk.
I like the law---- but as with so many others, Lets see if it's catchable and then enforceable. Ya gotta catch them to make it work. To many unenforceable laws on the books.
Good luck!
Peace
This is a good law--needs to be extended to handheld cell phones. I do think the punishment of a year in jail for texting is harsh--it's up to a year and unless someone was a repeat offender, that's too much. We don't do that for a first or second DUI. I cannot tell you the number of times I've come across an inattentive driver holding a cell phone and steering with one hand. Attention was on the cell phone.
that's up to a year, and for a first time offense that means probation with perhaps a few days hanging over your head if you violate the probation. a possible 5000 dollar fine will translate to probably a 150 dollar fine for the first offense.
ordinarily i'm against invasions of privacy like seatbelt laws and the like. but i like this one. this is generally aimed at the younger drivers who aren't the greatest to start with. it's a cultural thing. my generation feels no great need to be in contact with others 24/7. i have never used a cell phone while driving let alone texted. (i have never texted actually) this younger generation can't seem to go 10 minutes without being in contact with someone. that can change. needs to. no one is so important that they can endanger others on the road because they can't wait until the end of the trip to make that call or send that message.
however, with all that said. this is going to be one of the more difficult crimes to enforce. how do you tell if someone is texting? as soon as they get pulled over they put the phone down. can they get that info from the cell company that someone was in the process of typing when the accident occured? if they can it will help in placing the correct blame for the accident.
Yes, polarmark, and the older generation can't seem to go 10 minutes without complaining about the younger generation.
Stereotypes aren't fun or fair -- I'm over 40 and have texted while driving plenty of times. Texts are a great way to get in touch with someone who might be in a meeting and thus disturbed by a phone call. They're relatively unobtrusive and a far easier way to pass single bits of information without requiring a lengthy phone conversation. Now if only the phone companies would stop ripping us off for them ...
I agree with GOPking. Ridiculous!
who can afford text messaging anyway????
Well said, theabowman!
Please, no more stupid difficult to impossible to enforce laws. The fat lady shoving twin-barrel hohos in her mouth last month on the Steese Hwy is who I'm afraid of as a motorcyclist.
gopKing "Give me a break. There are already laws against negligent and reckless driving. A duplicative law like this is only for the PC-minded out there. Why not make it illegal to smoke, listen to the radio, eat, or yell at your kids while driving, too? Ridiculous waste of state resources. And on top of it - it gives just one more reason for the police to pull people over to check on you. You really think they care if you're texting? No. They want a reason to check to see if you're doing something else. Asinine law."
well yes you are correct ..but it FEELS so good!
just another way for the troopers to pull you over for no reason again. so question then, there laptops that are in there cars that they are using nonstop, are they included in this? i doubt it. and the seatbelt law, HOW STUPID, its my truck, why must i be required to wear a seatbelt, i dont though, but still it effects NO ONE whatsoever and they can pull you over, STUPID
Here is an idea - instead of a moving violation law, we force auto makers to install a device which makes it IMPOSSIBLE to even use your cell phone when the car is running(or moving). Even come up with a retrofit for all cars already made. Problem solved. And cell phone blockers do exist.
Driving while talking is 4(four) times more likely to get you in an accident - FOUR TIMES! STOP IT! I'm out there driving too. And NONE of you are so important that you NEED to be on the phone while driving.
And worse - those of you SMOKING while TALKING and DRIVING!
Oh, wait - I thought there was an "energy crisis". How can people even afford a cell phone bill if they cannot heat their house and take care of the kids?
does someone force you to be out there driving too?
Gee, I thought there already was a law in place for distracted driving???
Now we wish to the bloat the already bloated law books with laws upon laws that already cover the infraction in question...
... there's an exemption for posting comments on the DNM, right?
wait, don't police have computers with keyboards in their cars? can they type on those while driving?
how are the police going to tell the difference between someone reading and/or typing on the stupid thing!
What a dumb law
They can not stop the speeders or the guys who think red means you still have five seconds to continue through the light. Enforcement is a joke in Fairbanks. get the son of guns who keep running the red lights, they are the ones who could kill someone.
Tip to those who want to text but don't want to be exploited by cellphone companies: get a wifi-based messenger. Wifi is free many places, including anywhere near UAF. The most I pay is $18/month for wifi service, which I use when I'm traveling, and that includes unlimited texting, internet phone calls, regular internet service, email, etc. My Mylo has a QWERTY keyboard, which makes it easier to text while driving. Not that I do that, of course. That would be against the law <wink wink>.
On US military posts it is illegal for the driver to talk on the cell phone while driving. I believe it is about couple hundred dollars fine.
We should get this law repealed. I think it is a good thought, but it should not be a primary offense, nor should it carry such a stiff penalty.
I'm not sure how the police are going to be able to enforce this one. Not saying this is a bad or good law. But one thing is for sure, texting while driving is ridiculous.
This should cut down on the gang activity.
Ok. Tell you what. First I am ABOUT 40, I text more than I call.
Tell you what else, I bet this law will NOT be used except in the following circumstance: An accident happens, there is ALWAYS the question that the driver was distracted, and maybe even negligent. What is the first thing they do? Get your cellphone records...make SURE you were not texting anytime + or - 10 minutes of that accident. If they can prove you were texting around the same time the accident occured- FELONY! Be careful, be very careful...
BTW roadtrip U R FUNNY!
Just another reason on the books to pull someone over and invade your privacy.
More feel good legislation so our legislators can feel like they accomplished something. I agree with gopking. We don't need more redundent laws. I remember about 25 years ago I stopped to assist at an accident scene in Missouri. The trooper and I were chatting and he said he wished they would pass a DWHUA law to cover general stupidity on the roadways. I asked what DWHUA stood for. His answer, driving with head up a#$. Maybe he was on the right track.
So if I have my phone open does that mean I will be pulled over for being suspected of texting? How stupid. Are the popo not meeting their quotas or what? At least on post the laws are clear.
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