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Texting While Driving is Now Illegal in Alabama

By Heather VacLav

Story Created: Aug 1, 2012

Story Updated: Aug 1, 2012

As of today, it is now illegal to text while you drive in Alabama. Drivers will be pulled over and fined for sending text messages, instant messages and E-mails when on the roadways.
 
Alabama is the 39th state to enforce a texting while driving ban. In May, Governor Robert Bentley signed the bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim McClendon, (R) of Springville, into law.
 
Alabama State Troopers say texting while driving is one of the most obvious examples of distracted driving, and hope the law will reduce traffic accidents and fatalities. The ban also allows state law enforcement to charge drivers with texting while driving as a primary offense.
 
The law does allow drivers to contact emergency services or use a GPS device while driving without penalty.
 
Drivers will be fined: 
  • 1st Offense = $25
  • 2nd Offense $50
  • 3rd Offense (or more) = $75

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Erik Wood said on Wednesday, Aug 1 at 4:09 PM

I read that 94% of drivers think Text and Drive is lethal but over one third still do it. I think legislation has value in raising public awareness in forums like this one but it will be difficult to solely legislate our way out of this issue. I just read that over 3/4 of teens text daily - many text more than 4000 times a month. New college students use texting and Facebook - even with their professors. Tweens (ages 9 -12) send texts from their bikes. I decided to do something about distracted driving after my three year old daughter was nearly run down right in front of me by a texting driver. Instead of a shackle that locks down phones and alienates the user (especially teens) I built a tool called OTTER that is a simple GPS based, texting auto reply app for smartphones. I think if we can empower the individual then change will come to our highways. Erik Wood OTTER app

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