Texting While Driving FAQ

Yes. The law passed both the Senate and the House by a unanimous vote in May 2011.

Texting refers to either reading or manually composing an electronic communication. This could include text messages, emails, instant messages, or using a portable electronic device.

The law went into effect on September 1, 2011. There was a 90 day waiting period while the current legislative session was allowed to end.

Yes. First offenders will face a minimum fine of $100. The fine is imposed even if the actions of the driver did not result in a traffic accident. Fines could increase for subsequent violations.

It is a traffic violation.

No, since it is classified as a traffic violation, there is no risk of jail time being issued.

Maine is the 33rd state to do so, with others following suit. The goal is to have it banned nationwide.

When you take into account how many people own cell phones now and how popular texting has become, it shows the increased likelihood that you could become involved in one of these accidents. For instance, in 1999, approximately 30 percent had a cell phone. By 2008, that number had swelled to over 91 percent. In 2002, the number of text messages averaged 1 million per month: by 2008, it had risen to over 110 million per month.

With the number of accidents caused by this action increasing at such a phenomenal rate every year, states had to step in to offer motorists who do not text while driving some protection. It has raised so much awareness that even Oprah continuously acknowledged it on her show by having her guests sign a statement that they would not text while they were driving

Statistics from several Federal agencies shows that nationwide, between 2001 and 2007, there were 16,141 deaths from accidents that resulted from texting while driving. Each year since then, the number of deaths from distracted driving has been more than 6,000 per year and continues to rise as more drivers are using cell phones behind the wheel.

Because we are living in a n age of instant communication. Between cell phone calls, texting and emails, there is no gap between making contact with someone else.

Statistics show that teenagers are at the top of the list of offenders.

The problem is not just with you driving while texting, but for others who also do it. Even if you are extremely careful while driving, others might not be.

No. Recent studies have shown that individuals who text while they drive are 23 times more likely to become involved in an accident as those who do not. In fact, when comparing reaction times, studies have shown that texting while driving is considered to be more dangerous than driving under the influence.

No. They are still breaking the law. This new plan is part of a cell hone bill called “LD 1439” which was passed back in 2003. This bill prohibits the use of a cell phone by any driver who has either an intermediate driver’s license or a learners permit. The bill is also known as “An Act To Protect Young Drivers and Passengers”.

Police can still pull over drivers and issue citations for texting even if they do not observe any other violations. This act is called “Primary enforcement”.

It is included as part of Senate Bill 15, which was signed in June 2009. It is entitled “Failure To Maintain Control Of A Motor Vehicle”. It covers everything pertaining to a driver who is engaged in some type of action that hinders them from being able to control the operation of a vehicle or that is not necessary in order to operate the vehicle.

No. The bill specifies any “portable electronic device” that is not a part of the standard operating equipment of a motor vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to cell phones, computers, electronic games, text-messaging devices or any device that sends or receives emails.

No, those are not covered in the bill.

You can look on the State of Maine’s website.