In many ways, technology has been moving faster than the law for the last couple of decades. As more and more advanced technologies have landed in the hands of consumers, the laws haven’t always been in place to properly govern the safe use of those tools.

Texting while driving is something that falls into that category. A generation or two ago, there was no need to have rules about texting and driving, because text messaging didn’t yet exist. Once it came onto the scene and exploded in popularity, the laws in many places were slow to react to the threats that it posed.

The Legal Status of Driving and Texting in Texas

So, to get right to the question in the title of this article, is texting and driving illegal in Texas? In a word, yes. The law officially went into effect on September 1, 2017, meaning it has been illegal for years in Texas to text and drive. If you are caught texting and driving in Texas, you will be subject to a fine of up to $200.

Despite the illegal nature of this activity, accidents continue to occur to this day. In fact, nearly 400 people died statewide just in 2023 as a result of distracted driving, and thousands more were injured. These tragic numbers highlight the dangers of driving while distracted and emphasize the importance for everyone to take this matter seriously and change their habits accordingly.

Chart Showing Distracted Driving Statistics in Texas

Going Hands-Free

One of the best ways for drivers to benefit from the conveniences of modern technology while staying safe on the road is to use hands-free options. For example, if you need to make a call while driving, it would be dangerous to pick up your phone, look at it, and manually select the person you’d like to call. It would be even more dangerous to continue looking at the phone to type out a text rather than calling.

These risks can be avoided when hands-free devices are utilized instead. If your phone is connected to the onboard system in your car, you can simply use the voice commands to place a call and the call will automatically be routed through the vehicle’s speaker system. Many models even allow for voice-to-text functions, so you can still send a text without the need to look down at a screen even for a moment.

Some Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving

As we have already outlined, it is illegal to hold your phone and read or type text messages while driving in Texas. Of course, actively texting is only one of many different ways to be distracted while behind the wheel—which is the second leading cause of traffic accidents in Texas. To make sure you are paying full attention on the road, consider these other tips:

  • Keep your phone somewhere in your vehicle where it is out of reach while driving, to avoid the temptation of picking it up while on the road.
  • If you need to use your phone during a trip, pull off the road to a safe location before doing so.
  • Other features in your vehicle can be distracting as well—such as a touchscreen display on the dashboard—so limit interactions with those components.
  • Never drive while intoxicated or drowsy, as those conditions will also make driving far more dangerous.

The statistics are clear: Distracted driving is dangerous. Whether in Texas or anywhere else around the country, drivers should keep their phones out of their hands while operating a vehicle. Not only do distracted drivers run the risk of getting a ticket, but they also run the much greater risk of causing a serious accident. The roads would be a safer place for everyone if all drivers would put down their phones and keep both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the traffic ahead.