CLINTON —
A state law that prohibits the sending or reading of text messages while driving is about to go into full effect after a year-long education period. Starting Friday, misuse of electronic messaging devices could result in fines up to $1,000.
The main component of the law, which prohibits adults from a sending text message, is a secondary offense.
“(Texting) can’t be the primary reason for pulling somebody over,” said Clinton Police Sgt. Joel Wehde. “You have to have a violation, such as speeding, first.”
Wehde said that once drivers are pulled over, secondary offenses can be investigated and citations can be issued as necessary. The fines range from $30 to $1,000, depending on whether the violation contributed to a collision or property damage.
Teenage drivers age 18 and younger, however, can be pulled over and cited regardless of any other infractions. Teens with learners permits will also be banned from using any sort of electronic communication device, including phones, while driving.
Law enforcement officers have been able to issue warnings for the violations for a year, but Wehde said that Clinton police officers had not issued a high volume.
“It’s a tough law to enforce,” Wehde said. “We don’t know what the full impact will be.”
He said it is important for young people to be aware of the dangers of distracted driving.
“We’ve been telling (teenage drivers) all these years,” Wehde said, “keep the radio noise down, keep the vehicle occupants quiet, pay attention, and ...pull off to the side of the road to make calls or send messages.”
Jeff Lakin, owner of Gateway Driver Education School, said that his students are aware of the dangers of texting and driving. The issue is getting them to take it seriously.
“The big distraction (for drivers) used to be the radio,” Lakin said. “Now it’s all the handheld things kids are using and abusing in cars.”
He said texting and operating portable music players, like iPods, are huge distractions for young drivers. Lakin said that a young driver with a vehicle full of his peers could be prone to errors in judgement.
“The kids that we have are great kids, they understand the dangers,” Lakin said. “(But) kids are kids. It’s just a temptation that’s difficult to (ignore).”
Enforcing more strict rules of young drivers does not bother Lakin.
“If we’re singling them out because of their age,” he said, “it’s because their age group is the cause of most of the accidents.
Lakin isn’t sure if the enforcement of the law will be enough to get young drivers to take safety seriously. He said the small fine is probably not enough to discourage determined texters.
“We can preach until we’re blue in the face,” Lakin said. “Once they’re in the car, we’re not going to have any control.”
The current law is the result of a series of compromises over the past two years in state legislation. Previously proposed bills would ban all electronic communication without the use of a hands-free device, or limit cell-phone use to those over the age of 18.
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A state law that prohibits the sending or reading of text messages while driving is about to go into full effect after a year-long education period. Photo illustration by Mark Hagen/Clinton Herald
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Texting law to take full effect
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