Maryland bans text messaging by drivers

Last updated: March 30, 2010 · Print this report

Flag of Maryland for wireless phone postMaryland’s governor has signed the text-messaging legislation forwarded to him by the state Senate. It takes effect Oct. 1, 2009.

(This story originally filed March 2009.)

Maryland’s ban on texting by all drivers does not include the act of reading messages, thanks to an amendment tacked on by the House. This is intended to make enforcement easier, since police in theory won’t pull over drivers who are just reading phone numbers. Read about the 2010 legislation to close the loophole.

Gov. Martin O’Malley signed the Maryland texting ban on April 7, 2009. The governor had indicated he’d sign either version of the Maryland texting ban that emerged from the legislature.

Maryland joins neighbors Virginia and the District of Columbia in the no-texting-while-driving club.

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Comments

One Response to “Maryland bans text messaging by drivers”

  1. Cheryl Hill Ruiz on October 2nd, 2009 12:46 pm

    I have a simple question.

    Texting, which I can’t even do, is writing to someone.

    Does entering a phone number mean you are texting??

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