“But, Officer, I Was Just…” Here Are All the Ways Drivers Will Try to Get Around New Texas Ban on Texting

Starting September 1, it'll be against the law to use a handheld device while driving a vehicle in Texas -- mostly.According to the new law, "An operator commits an offense if the operator uses a portable wireless communication device to read, write or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped."To be prosecuted, the behavior "must be committed in the presence of or within the view of a peace officer or established by other evidence."There are some exceptions to the rule, however, that I suspect might make it more difficult to prove what a driver is doing with their phone.It will still be OK to interact with your phone in conjunction with a hands-free device.You can also still use your phone to navigate using a GPS app. I wonder if entering an address in Google Maps to get directions will be mistaken for texting?You can also use your phone while driving to report illegal activity.  Continue reading...