Wyoming Votes Down The Law To Put Texting Drivers In Prison- Know More

One of the biggest threats to public safety is the issue of distracted driving. Most drivers are not aware of the dangers of operating a mobile phone while driving. They usually convince themselves that they drive safely and it is possible for them to do both tasks well but this is a wrong perception. States are gradually passing legislation to criminalize distracted driving. Wyoming is one of these states that is doing its best to deter drivers and other road users from distracting themselves while on the road. So lets see about Wyoming votes down the law to put texting drivers in prison.

Wyoming votes down the law to put texting drivers in prison

The State of Wyoming recently declined a bill that if passed could have allowed courts to punish those found guilty of texting while driving with up to 20 years in prison, especially if their distraction led to an accident. The vote did not receive a majority vote and this means for a driver who is caught texting while driving, the stiffest punishment will be a fine of $75 and a misdemeanor charge.

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Wyoming votes down the law to put texting drivers in prison :

Its Driving Laws

Driving laws in Wyoming have been in place since 2010. Still, Wyoming ranks 3rd in states with accidents caused by distracted driving. Just in 2018, drivers using their mobile phones while driving were responsible for 229 car accidents. It is illegal to text while driving in Wyoming and particular areas in the state have instituted other laws to reduce incidences of distracted driving. 

Distracted driving

This is defined in Wyoming as anything that keeps the eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel and minds off driving while operating a motor vehicle. Texting while driving meets this definition:

  1. Manual distraction: Using the hands meant to be on the wheel to operate your phone
  2. Cognitive distraction: Diverting your attention meant to be focused on driving towards thinking about what appears on the screen of your mobile phone or thinking of what to compose as a message.
  3. Visual distraction: Using your eyes to look at your mobile phone screen instead of keeping them on the road.

The reasons stated above are why driving while texting is a dangerous practice. Texting while driving in Wyoming is considered a primary offense. This means you can be pulled over by a law enforcement official even though you have not breached any other traffic regulations. The law is even harder for drivers of commercial trucks. If caught, a commercial truck driver’s license can be seized. 

Penalties for texting while driving

Texting while driving is considered a misdemeanor and it attracts a fine which might go up to $75 depending on the circumstances in which you were charged. If you have accrued up to four misdemeanors in a year, your license may be suspended and other penalties may be imposed. It is important to add that when a driver who texts and drives ends up in an injury, accident, or death, such a driver will not be charged with texting and driving. Instead, they will be charged with the more serious offense of reckless driving. Since the outcome of texting while driving is not in your control, it is best to avoid using your phone at all while driving and be patient when you get home.

Does texting and driving in Wyoming raise my insurance rates?

Most assuredly, texting while driving affects your insurance premiums. The average amount paid per year for insurance in Wyoming is $2,012. However, taking into account the tickets for texting and driving that have to be paid, that amount can increase by more than 12% to about $2,275, yearly. This spike in insurance rate can be avoided if you let your phone be while driving. You could also switch the phone off totally, or if you don’t want to do this, put it to “do not disturb” so that when you receive a notification alert, you are not tempted to check who the message is from while driving. Most vehicles nowadays are fitted with Bluetooth technology, and your phone can likely be operated using voice-to-text or hands-free options. This allows you to interact with the phone without handling it with your hands.

Exceptions to Wyoming’s texting and driving laws

There are a few exceptions to the laws regarding texting while driving.

  1. Text can be done using hands-free technology or assistants such as Google Assistant. 
  2. Drivers of vehicles used in emergency responses are exempted from the driving laws.
  3. Using handheld to call for emergency services. 

Conclusion

Driving is an activity that requires the most attention because you are not just the only user on the road. Splitting your attention between the road and your phone has serious consequences. Driving while texting is one of the major causes of road accidents behind speeding and drunk driving. Wyoming is one of the states in the U.S that has laws preventing and punishing distracted driving. Although the laws might seem tame, this is not an excuse to endanger the lives of other road users just because you want to answer a call or reply to a text.

Frequently Asked Questions
  1. What is the secondary enforcement of distracted driving laws? This involves breaking another law while being cited for violating primary distracted driving laws.
  2. What happens when I break distracted driving laws while entering another state? Different states have different laws against distracted driving. You do not have an excuse even if you claim you were ignorant of the laws in that state.
  3.  Is it permitted to eat while driving? You can eat while eating but remember that this means you will be distracted from focusing on the road. Although there’s no law against eating while driving, be careful that this does not result in a crash.
  4. Can I be disqualified from a Safe Driver Discount if I get cited for distracted driving? Yes. 
Wyoming Votes Down The Law To Put Texting Drivers In Prison- Know More

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