Texting and Driving Dangers
A month and a half into the new texting and driving law, police on the Coast are out in full force looking for distracted drivers. Police in Pass Christian received a mixed reaction when pulling drivers over who they see texting.
Gulfport resident Anne Nicholson has been personally affected by distracted driving. Her message: it can wait. “I think everybody’s just concerned about something and it’s always urgent but it’s not as urgent as people think. An accident can happen in a moment. I know I lost my brother in a car accident many years ago, it wasn’t from texting but you know life is precious. Whatever it is, it can wait.”
The texting and driving ban in Mississippi has been in effect since July 1st. Police officers tell News 25 drivers are still getting used to the new law.
One Pass Christian officer pulled over a driver who was texting, the driver’s reaction was unexpected. Pass Christian Police Chief Tim Hendricks said, “Well, he actually thanked me and in that instance, I was very surprised. They knew they were distracted and, of course, I let that person off with a warning at that time. It’s a new law and we’re not trying to go out and punish everyone we see, we want to educate people as well, so that’s part of it.”
The fine for texting and driving is currently $25. Starting July 1st, 2016 the fine will be $100.
Police officers say it’s not just the younger generation that’s obsessed with texting, they’ve pulled over plenty of people at any age who they see texting and driving.
Police tell News 25 in cases of texting and driving, they look for people who are stopped at green lights, swerving out of their lane, or looking down.
Right now, texting and driving is considered a civil violation. The penalty is $25. With court fees, that fine is a total of $59.
Gulfport resident Anne Nicholson has been personally affected by distracted driving. Her message: it can wait. “I think everybody’s just concerned about something and it’s always urgent but it’s not as urgent as people think. An accident can happen in a moment. I know I lost my brother in a car accident many years ago, it wasn’t from texting but you know life is precious. Whatever it is, it can wait.”
The texting and driving ban in Mississippi has been in effect since July 1st. Police officers tell News 25 drivers are still getting used to the new law.
One Pass Christian officer pulled over a driver who was texting, the driver’s reaction was unexpected. Pass Christian Police Chief Tim Hendricks said, “Well, he actually thanked me and in that instance, I was very surprised. They knew they were distracted and, of course, I let that person off with a warning at that time. It’s a new law and we’re not trying to go out and punish everyone we see, we want to educate people as well, so that’s part of it.”
The fine for texting and driving is currently $25. Starting July 1st, 2016 the fine will be $100.
Police officers say it’s not just the younger generation that’s obsessed with texting, they’ve pulled over plenty of people at any age who they see texting and driving.
Police tell News 25 in cases of texting and driving, they look for people who are stopped at green lights, swerving out of their lane, or looking down.
Right now, texting and driving is considered a civil violation. The penalty is $25. With court fees, that fine is a total of $59.
Leave a Reply