First-Ever Driving While Texting Ticket Issued

by Tim Stevens on November 20, 2007 at 10:39 AM

First Driving While Texting Ticket Issued in Phoenix

Driving while texting is dangerous and illegal in many places. It can even land you in jail. Though not exactly behind bars, an unlucky driver caught sending a message in Phoenix was issued the state's first citation for driving while texting, thanks to a new law, set in place in September, that makes the practice illegal.

Much like speeding and other moving violations, driving while texting is one of those offenses that asks police officers to use their judgment. In general, police have indicated warnings will be given in most cases, with citations going out to those caught texting in heavy traffic or anyone causing an accident.

It's unknown exactly what happened on November 5th when that first citation was given out, but we do know that the driver will be facing fines of between $184 and $460 depending on the severity of the offense.

That's a lot of cash for a text message.

From azcentral.com and azfamily.com

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Tags: breaking+news, cell phones, CellPhones, driving while texting, DrivingWhileTexting, top

Comments

305

debbieNov 25th 2007 9:22PM

Neutral

how true your comments are. i was hit by a driver texting i was in stopped traffic on the freeway and was hit at 70 miles an hour. Was life flighted and am still suffering the effects of wreck 8 months later. his ticket was failure to pay full time attention to driving, a minor offense, where is the justice in that? But i was lucky to survive, the first person to my car was scared he would see a dead person in the drivers seat. But by the grace of god i am here, and hopefully one day be back to normal. so i hope people will pay attention and stop the talking and texting while driving.

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CDNov 26th 2007 8:22AM

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Driving on the Interstate in FL is like some kinda' wacko video game....even saw a "crotch rocket" dude texting on I-95...and all these "poptarts" driving and texting on I-4 to from Orlando is just plain brainless...i think we need some type of "text block" device in vehicles the moment the transmission is engaged!

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The JudgeNov 25th 2007 11:43PM

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Use of a cell phone, whether for conversation or texting, is the most dominant possible offense on the roads today because of the numbers of drivers using such phones. The penalties must be increased to include mandatory suspension of driver licenses and substantial fines for the first offense. If cell phone use involved in an accident, loss of license must be increased. This is the only way that drivers will reduce cell phone use while driving and stop causing accidents that injure innocent persons who are not using cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.

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MiMiNov 27th 2007 8:48AM

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People just need to use common sense if you cant text without looking then wait till you stop at a light or pull over for a second to write your message. I think it is really sad that cel phones have to be bann from the car for everyone because of people that get stupid when they use the phone in the car. Just like people have to get a seperate license to drive a motor cycle, if they made you take a test for using a cell phone while driving problem solved, pass the test, get the license, problem solved.

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Barnegat BlummisDec 5th 2007 1:04PM

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I find that texting while farting adds a certain je ne sais quoi to every message (especially after I perfected the AromaPhone.)

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