Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Delaware Leads Enforcement of Texting While Driving

Delaware leads the country in issuing the most tickets for texting while driving from the time a state's cellphone law went into effect through 2016, according to a new report.

by Staff
April 23, 2018
2 min to read


Photo via Ed Brown/Wikimedia.

Delaware leads the country in issuing the most tickets for texting while driving from the time a state's cellphone law went into effect through 2016, according to a new report.

Ad Loading...

Delaware enacted a handheld and texting ban in 2011 and has since reported 13,061 total citations statewide through 2016, representing the best enforcement of a cellphone ban nationwide.

Ad Loading...

New York, which also issued its texting ban in 2011, came in second with 11,996 citations. Other states that ranked among the top five in issuing tickets include the District of Columbia (10,952), New Jersey (7,215), and Hawaii (4,828).

The report, "The Real Cost of Distracted Driving in Your State,"was complied by Safewise. The report draws on and analyzes data from the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHSTA) and the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) to determine the costs of distracted driving in the US.

Three of the top ten deadliest states for car crashes — Louisiana, Wyoming, and Mississippi — have the worst enforcement of distracted driving laws, with less than 100 tickets issued collectively over the three to ten years since their bans were passed.

Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina rank as the top three states for car crash fatalities, yet none of them have passed a statewide law banning handheld cellphone use. Conversely, Washington D.C., New York, and Rhode Island have the least amount of motor vehicle fatalities, and all have laws banning handheld cellphones while driving.

The report also explores penalties for distracted driving. While the national median fine is $100, Missouri's is the lowest at just $21.

Ad Loading...

Alaska and Utah are the only states with texting bans that include jail time as a penalty for the first offense. They also have the highest fines at $10,000 and $750, respectively.  

New York, Virginia, and Nebraska will add three or more points to an offender's license for texting and driving, which means insurance rates could also spike for those issued a ticket.

Read the full report here.

More Safety

Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safety•by Staff•October 25, 2026

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
a crash test dummy in a car
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 22, 2026

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks

New crash-avoidance ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reveal inconsistent performance among commercial vehicles, with several popular cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups struggling to avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.

Read More →
AN AF news recap thumbnail
Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Read More →
Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
Two fleet employees talk beside work trucks beneath the words “Mental Health Is Fleet Safety,” highlighting the connection between employee mental health and fleet safety.
Safety•September 15, 2026

Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program

For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.

Read More →
hands covering toy car with digital widgets surrounding it
Safety•by Chris Brown•September 1, 2026

How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal

Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
Safety•August 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →