Texting while driving ban begins Thursday

The Augusta ChronicleStarting Thursday, drivers will be barred by state law from texting while driving.Adults will be able to talk on their cell phones, but teens will be banned from making calls while behind the wheel. Motorists violating the law face a $150 fine and one point on their driver’s licenses.The new restrictions have been greeted with some skepticism from law enforcement officials, who contend the ban will be difficult to enforce.Richmond County sheriff’s Lt. Scott Gay said he expects there will be circumstances where it will be tough to prove whether someone was texting — such as when both the deputy and the motorist are traveling at high speeds. He said drivers simply should not use their phones if they can avoid it. Deputies will be on the lookout for people typing on their cell phones and, because the law is a primary offense, they can pull people over and write a ticket on the spot.Gay said the sheriff’s office will subpoena phone records in accident cases if they suspect the driver was texting.