Has the New Ban on Texting Made a Difference?

 Posted on February 19, 2026 in Car Accidents

Texas banned texting while driving on September 1, 2017. It was an important step in establishing how dangerous distracted driving could be. In the years since, drivers across the state may have wondered: has the law actually made roads safer?

If you were hurt by a driver distracted by their phone, a Carrollton car accident attorney can help you know your options for seeking compensation.

What Was the Texas Law that Banned Texting While Driving?

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.4251 says that a driver breaks the law if they use a portable device to read, write, or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle. This covers texts, emails, and social media. A police officer can pull you over specifically for this offense – no other violation is needed.

The penalties include:

• A fine between $25 and $99 for a first offense
• A fine of up to $200 for repeat offenses
• Possible jail time and higher fines if the distraction causes injury or death

The law does allow some phone use. Drivers can use GPS navigation, make hands-free calls, and change music, as long as they are not typing or reading. Drivers under 18, however, cannot use any handheld device for any reason. In school zones, all drivers must put their phones away.

Did Accidents Go Down After the Law Passed?

When the law first took effect, the numbers improved quickly. In 2018, reported distracted driving accidents dropped by roughly half compared to the year before, and fatalities fell by about 15 percent.

The improvement, unfortunately, did not last. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, distracted driving in 2024 caused nearly one in five crashes on Texas roads, resulting in 373 deaths and more than 2,500 serious injuries.

To put the danger in perspective: Reading a text at 55 miles per hour means your eyes are off the road for about five seconds, which is long enough to travel the length of a football field without seeing anything but your phone screen. This may not seem like a big deal if you’re scanning the road before and after you check your phone, but if something appears in the road or the person in front of you stops suddenly, you may not be able to react until it’s too late. This is especially true if you are following too closely behind the car in front of you. A distracted driver is 23 times more likely to be in a crash than an alert one.

What Happens if a Distracted Driver Causes a Crash?

A driver who causes an accident by texting can be held financially responsible for the harm they caused. This includes compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including future care if injuries are serious
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Wrongful death damages if someone is killed

The fact that the driver was texting in violation of state law can be powerful evidence of negligence in a civil case.

Proving the Other Driver Was Distracted in a Texting and Driving Crash

Building a strong case requires more than just your word against the other driver's. Evidence of distracted driving can include cell phone records, surveillance or dashcam footage, witness statements, and the police report. This evidence needs to be preserved quickly, before it disappears or is deleted.

Talk to a legal professional if you have any questions about what counts as usable evidence. Also talk to an attorney if you are being pressured by the other driver’s insurance company. An insurance company’s job is to try to get you to settle for as little as possible, even if your injuries and damages are serious. An attorney can help you gather what you need and deal with the insurance company.

Call an Irving, TX Car Accident Attorney Today

When another driver's choice to text behind the wheel leaves you with injuries and bills, you deserve to be compensated.

At Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., Mr. Andrews is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the area of personal injury trials. We handle every case on a contingency basis — you pay no fees or costs unless you win. Call a Carrollton car accident lawyer at 214-221-5800 today for a free consultation with a lawyer who will fight for you.

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