Delaware toughens penalties for texting while driving

WILMINGTON (AP) — Texting or otherwise using a hand-held phone while driving is not only dangerous, but it’s also now more expensive if you get caught.

A bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Jack Markell increases the penalty for a first offense of texting behind the wheel from $50 to $100. It also increases the penalty for subsequent offenses from between $100 and $200 to between $200 and $300.

While lawmakers voted earlier this year to toughen the financial penalties, they backed off a proposal calling for points to be assessed on a person’s driver’s license for second or subsequent offenses.

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Supporters say many drivers, particularly young people, have been ignoring the current prohibition on texting while driving and that the previous penalties were not enough to discourage such behavior.

 

– Digital Partners -