Starting Wednesday you might want to think twice about checking that social media alert or sending a text message that seems to crucial, even though you’re driving.
“Everyone is going to have to get acclimated to the new law. Everyone is going to have to drive their drive habits,” Lieutenant Johnny Poulos said.
That habit may be a hard one to break. At any given time you’re almost guaranteed to find someone completely engaged in their phone, while operating a vehicle at the same time.
The 25 dollar fine is in place to try and limit the instances where drivers don’t think twice about using their device while driving.
Personal injury attorney Rocky Wilkins says it’s a good idea, but enforcement will be difficult.
I think it’s a step in the right direction. I do think it’s going to be hard to enforce the law because I don’t know how police, who see a car on the side of the road for maybe 30 or 40 seconds, are going to tell if their texting, looking at the phone, or maybe looking at GPS.”
A decision by the higher courts says an officer can’t ask to see someone’s phone without a warrant. With that said, that won’t mean you’re in the clear if you’re caught texting. Law enforcers are expecting some resistance.
“We know we’re going to have some disagreements on the side of the road as to whether or not the driving was texting, but that’s what the court system is for,” Poulos said.
“This is a good thing. The highway patrol’s stance is, we’re concerned about what manner the vehicle is being operated in. If it’s being operated in a carless or reckless manner, then those citations can be issued,” Poulos said.
