Police Departments Likely Won't Enforce New Teen Texting & Driving Law

A new law makes it a traffic violation for teens with graduated driver's licenses or learning permits to operate hand-held electronic devices, such as cell phones, while driving. But for municipalities, enforcement carries challenges.

Monday, November 8th 2010, 3:57 pm

By: News 9


Gan Matthews, News 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A new law makes it a traffic violation for teens with graduated driver's licenses or learning permits to operate hand-held electronic devices, such as cell phones, while driving. Since the new state law took effect November 1, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will be enforcing it, but for municipalities, enforcement carries challenges.

Though the law applies to teenagers, police said they encounter drivers of all ages trying to drive, call, and text at the same time all the time.

"Well, obviously anything that takes your eyes off of the road is a hazard to you as a driver and to the people who are operating the vehicles around you or pedestrians," said Norman Police Captain Tom Easley.

Because the new law is a state statute, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will provide the main enforcement. Cities and towns can but rarely do charge a traffic offense under a state law. Such filings tend to annoy District Attorneys.

"Unless there are extenuating circumstances, they don't want to see it and they don't want to hear it," Easley said.

So cities like Norman and Moore will rely upon existing ordinances that outlaw careless driving.

Moore officers will be relying upon existing city ordinances to enforce the new law.

"Right now what we're using is basically inattention to driving kind of. It covers the exact same situation so that's what our city attorney has told us to use it for," said Sgt. Jeremy Lewis, Moore Police Department.

Norman officers will also enforce the new law by invoking a similar city ordinance that forbids careless and reckless driving. Of course, cities and towns have another option available too.

"We get us a new municipal ordinance that mirrors the state statute," Easley said. "And then we just cite under that."

Easley said the Norman city attorney and officials with the Norman Municipal Court are brainstorming such an ordinance right now.

A violation of the new anti-electronic device law could cost them $211.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

November 8th, 2010

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024