Arkansas bans text messaging while driving

Mar 23, 2009

Beginning Oct. 1, Arkansas drivers who are caught text messaging while driving will face a fine of up to $100.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe (D) on Feb. 18 signed House Bill 1013 into law. State Rep. Ray Kidd (D) proposed the bill, now called "Paul's Law" – named in memory of a Jonesboro man killed in September in a head-on collision caused by a driver who was trying to send a text message. The penalty for violating the primary offense would be a warning on the first violation and a fine of up to $100 on the second.

According to the Denver-based National Conference of State Legislatures, Arkansas joins seven states and the District of Columbia in banning text messaging while driving. Nine other states have banned text messaging while driving for novice or teenage drivers.