Effective December 1, 2009, it will be unlawful for any motor vehicle operator to text message while driving. Violations of the new law will constitute an “infraction” punishable by a $100 fine. However, no points or insurance surcharges can be assessed for a violation, and the statute expressly states that a violation “shall not constitute negligence per se or contributory negligence” in a civil lawsuit arising from an accident caused by texting. Nonetheless, employers should alert their employees who drive of this change in the law. (House Bill 9)
Note: This article was published in the October 2009 issue of the North Carolina eAuthority.
