A new Arkansas law, that makes writing, reading and sending text messages and e-mail while driving a traffic offense, went into effect Thursday, Oct. 1. It applies to all drivers in Arkansas regardless of age or driving experience.
This law is titled “Paul’s Law” after Paul Davidson, a man from Jonesboro who died in a car accident after his vehicle was hit by a driver who was texting.
Clark County Sheriff David Turner said his officers have been made aware of the new law and will be looking for violators, however, he does foresee some problems with enforcing the law.
“In my opinion, it’s going to be hard to do,” he said. “It would be the police officer’s word against the driver’s.”
The law will be enforced, but officers do not have the right to search the cell phone for evidence that the driver was using it without a search warrant.
Officer Donnie Hunter, head of Safety at Ouachita, said he believed the law would make drivers more aware of the dangers of texting and driving.
According to a National Safety Council fact sheet on distracted driving, cell phone use contributes to an estimated 6 percent of all crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year.
“You lose your concentration on the road,” Hunter said of drivers who text message while driving. “You’re not paying attention to your surroundings.”
For now, Ouachita Campus Security will be informing students they see texting while driving of the new law until they receive more information on how the administration wants them to handle the driving offense.
In Clark County, the fine for those found in violation of Paul’s Law will be a warning the first time, a $100 fine the second time plus the cost of the first offense and the fine is expected to cost even more for each additional offense after that. Ultimately the decision will be left up to the judge.
In Arkansas it is also illegal for people under the age of 21 to talk on a cell phone while driving. However, people between the ages of 18-20 can talk on their cell phones using a handless device such as Bluetooth.
Turner said he has seen firsthand the effects of using a cell phone while driving.
“I myself have been distracted before because of text messaging,” Turner admitted. “Get your hands free and pull over if you want to use your phone.”
