Police say enforcing ban on texting while driving difficult

By Aubrey Woods
First Posted: September 07, 2012 - 10:50 pm
Last Updated: September 07, 2012 - 10:52 pm

We also have more stories about:
(click the phrases to see a list)

Photos:

Tribune photo-illustration by Aaron Piper/ Tanner Alexander pretends to text while driving for several photos.

Just as technology evolves to keep up with radar guns, texting drivers are growing wise to Indiana’s texting-while-driving law.

In effect since July 1, 2011, the law makes it a Class C misdemeanor for a motorist to send a text message on their cellphone while driving.

However, the law does not prohibit a motorist from checking Facebook, searching for nearby theaters for what’s playing or any number of activities that one can perform on a smartphone.

That’s because of legislative compromises that helped put the law on the books, state Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, said Thursday.

“It’s where the law and technology don’t always keep up. But at the same time, technology is moving forward in a positive way with some of our newer model cars coming with voice-activated operations,” he added.

This story appears in the print edition of The Tribune. Subscribers can read the entire story online by signing in here or in our e-Edition by clicking here.