Jail time in Alaska if you text and drive

This local story from Alaska, headlined “Texting drivers now face jail time: Typing on road is as penalized as first DUI,” highlights how states are getting serious in trying to deal with distracted driving.  Here are a few details:

Drivers will have to take their thumbs off their phones and put them back on the steering wheel while cruising down Alaska roads starting today when a ban on text messaging while driving begins.  Drivers are still able to read messages on their phones, BlackBerry’s and iPhones, but it is a crime to write messages. The new law also says Alaska drivers are prohibited from watching video while driving.

Alaska joins four other states in barring the latest driver-distraction phenomenon.  Like Alaska’s seat belt law, it is considered a primary offense, so an officer could pull a driver over if he thinks the driver is punching away on an electronic device.  But unlike other traffic violations, like the seat belt law, which could result in a fine and points off a license, driving while texting could land a driver in jail.

Texting behind the wheel is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and one year in jail. It is the same first-time offense punishment as driving under the influence — although DUIs have minimum sentencing requirements and the texting law does not.