Maine becomes 33rd state to ban texting while driving
Augusta, ME – Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) on June 3 signed into law a bill that prohibits texting while driving, making the state the 33rd to pass such a law.
The new law is scheduled to go into effect Sept. 1, 2011. Motorists caught violating the law will face a minimum fine of $100.
State Sen. Bill Diamond (D) proposed the bill and, in 2009, sponsored Maine’s distracted driving law, which went into effect that same year.
In related news, at deadline, legislation (.pdf file) to ban texting while driving in Texas awaited approval from Gov. Rick Perry (R).
If approved, it would be illegal in Texas to use a wireless communication device to write or send a text-based communication while driving unless the motor vehicle is stopped. The law would go into effect Sept. 1.
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