Cell Phones and Texting: Distracted Driving Laws in Alaska

The distracted driving laws in Alaska are pretty relaxed when compared to other areas in the United States. In Alaska, the only definition of distracted driving is reading, sending, or receiving a text message. If you are caught text messaging by a police officer, the penalties and fines are can be pretty drastic and escalate quickly.

The only thing that counts as distracted driving in Alaska is:

  • Text messaging, which can be from your cell phone or a text messaging enabled device such as an iPad or any other electronic device that can send and receive messages

Ages

The distracted driving ban is in effect for drivers of all ages. This means you are not allowed to read, send, or write a text message while you are driving. If a police officer catches you doing this, they can pull you over without any other reason other than catching you text messaging.

Fines

Fines and jail time are pretty steep, so it is important to keep your eyes on the road and not to message while you are driving.

  • Texting and driving is a Class A Misdemeanor, which holds a fine of up to $10,000 and up to one year in prison

  • If you injure someone, it is a Class C Felony, which holds a fine up to $50,000 and five years in prison

  • If you cause serious injury to someone while texting and driving, it is a Class B Felony, which holds up to a $100,000 fine and ten years in prison

  • If you happen to kill someone while texting and driving, it is a Class A felony, which holds up to $250,000 in fines and 20 years in prison

Although Alaska’s distracted driving laws do not seem extensive, the ban on texting and driving goes for drivers of all ages and the penalties are severe. Furthermore, if you are caught texting and driving, hurt someone, or kill someone, the fines and prison time can add up very fast. It is best to put the cell phone away to ensure your safety and the safety of others while you are driving down the road.


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