MENU
SEARCHAfter a decade of failed legislative attempts, the state finally has a law on the books that prohibits texting while driving.
Photo courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Photo courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed into law state legislation that makes texting while driving illegal. The law takes effect Sept. 1.
Texas becomes the 47th state to pass such a law. Safety advocates and some legislators in Texas have pushed for such a texting ban for a decade.
A first-time offense carries a fine of up to $99. Repeat violators can be fined $200.
Drivers will be prohibited from reading, writing or sending electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped. It will still be legal, however, to use a mobile phone to control a vehicle’s sound system and to access a navigation app.
The law's passage drew praise from several prominent organizations, including the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the National Safety Council.
"GHSA commends Texas for banning this pervasive source of driver distraction," the association said in a released statement. "The Association is thankful for the perseverance of victim advocate organizations such as StopDistractions.org, who have worked for years to advance this through the state legislature."
"Today, after years of debating bills, Texas sent a clear message to residents that it will do what it takes to save lives," the National Safety Council said in its own released statement. "The National Safety Council encourages the three remaining states without texting bans for all drivers — Arizona, Missouri and Montana — to pass legislation immediately."
To read the new Texas law, click here.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
