Drivers in Rhode Island may want to invest in hands-free phone technology, or pull over to text. As of Monday night, texting behind the wheel in the state will get drivers an $85 fine out of the gate, with increasing fines for second and third offenses.
The state joined 18 others, plus the D.C. area, to make texting while driving illegal. R.I. Gov. Donald L. Carcieri signed the no-texting measure, which went into effect immediately, on Nov. 9. The state’s Department of Transportation intends to educate drivers of the law with advertising, displaying the information on highway signs, using social media outlets and creating and outreach to area universities to inform students of the new measure.
Anyone cited for a second texting offense must pay $100, and a third time will garner a $125 charge.
Texting while driving has been indicated as a distraction that could lead to accidents.
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