Texting and driving is a major violation in Alaska, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and two points on your license.
If you think that’s a hefty price, you are right! Alaska has some of the harshest regulations against texting while driving in the U.S.
But there’s a solid reason for it: Distracted driving results in around 3,000 fatalities and 400,000 injuries annually. Alaska is among the 48 states that have teamed up to outlaw texting while driving.
Learning about your state’s texting and driving regulations could help maintain road safety and your insurance costs low.
This post will explain the texting and driving regulations in Alaska and summarize the potential consequences of receiving a ticket for texting and driving.
What Is Texting and Driving in Alaska?
Texting and driving fall under distracted driving laws in Alaska. Distracted driving refers to any action that diverts a driver’s focus from operating a vehicle — anything from bickering with another passenger to changing the thermostat falls under this category.
According to Alaska law, distracted driving is “sending, receiving, or reading a text message from a mobile phone or any other text-messaging-enabled device.” Messages received from a smartwatch also count as distracted driving.
Distracted driving can divert a motorist’s concentration from the road for some time, increasing the risk of an accident.
Texting and Driving Statistics in Alaska
- Alaska has some of the most stringent distracted driving sanctions in the country.
- The state outlawed texting while driving a vehicle in 2012.
- According to the National Safety Council, mobile phone use contributed to 26% of all road accidents.
Alaska takes its laws against texting while driving seriously, and if caught, the fine is far higher than it is in most other states.
So, if you were involved in an accident with a distracted driver, you can bring them to book. An Alaska car accident attorney can help.
Does Alaska Have Laws Against Texting and Driving?
Yes, it does. Texting and driving is a primary offense in Alaska, meaning you can be pulled over even for texting (even if you don’t violate any other laws).
At the moment, Alaskan law forbids:
- Using an electronic device to read or type messages when driving.
- Operating a car when any screen gadgets, such as a laptop or tablet, are visible to the driver while seated in a normal position.
These regulations on gadget use apply only when the car is moving. Currently, it is acceptable to send and receive texts while stopped in traffic or at a red light.
Moreover, starting in 2018, the state began allowing local governments to regulate the usage of portable electronics when driving near schools.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Texting and Driving Laws in Alaska?
Yes. Here are a few examples of situations where the texting and driving law is not applicable:
- Voice communications technology, such as hands-free texting
- The controls and displays for the vehicle’s integrated audio system
- Other navigational aids, such as GPS
- Screen displays that complement or improve the driver’s field of vision (such as reverse cameras)
- Screen displays that let the driver keep an eye on the backseat passengers
- Screens showing dispatch data for package or freight delivery or passenger transportation
- Equipment and gadgets in emergency vehicles
Also, other exceptions could be incorporated when various municipalities enact their regulations regarding mobile phone use while driving close to schools.
What Is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Enforcement of Texting and Driving Laws?
If the police observe you breaking a state’s distracted driving regulations, they can pull you over. This is known as primary enforcement.
Police can only issue a citation for distracted driving if you simultaneously breach another rule. On the other hand, this is known as secondary enforcement of distracted driving regulations.
Alaska implements primary enforcement.
That means even if you observe all traffic regulations and feel like you are in total control of your car at all times, a police officer may still stop you and issue you a citation if they see you texting.
What Is the Penalty for Texting and Driving in Alaska?
If you search the punishment for texting and driving in Alaska online, you will learn that it may result in up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine for a first offense. But this is no longer accurate.
Before 2016, texting while driving was classified as a misdemeanor, and offenders faced jury trials. Hardly any persons were fined for violating the no-texting rule as a result.
For this reason, State Senator Kevin Meyer amended Senate Bill 123 to make basic texting a traffic offense. Texting and driving carry severe penalties with the new law.
Offenders now face the following penalties in line with the severity of their crimes:
- Standard: Texting while driving is a traffic offense that is punishable by a fine of up to $500 if there are no injuries.
- Injury: Texting and driving resulting in physical injury to another person is a Class C felony. It carries a fine of up to $50,000 and a maximum sentence of five years in jail.
- Severe injuries: It is a Class B felony to text while driving and cause serious injuries to another person. Offenders may be subject to fines of up to $100,000 and sentences of up to ten years in prison.
- Deaths: Texting while driving is a Class A felony if it results in a fatality. The motorist is subject to up to $250,000 in fines and up to 20 years in jail.
The ticketed driver will receive two demerit points on their driving record in addition to the penalties mentioned above.
The law is on your side if a texting and driving driver has hit you. Contact an experienced Alaska car accident attorney to help you file a claim against the at-fault driver to hold them accountable for their actions.
Can Texting and Driving Raise My Insurance Premium?
Yes. Vehicle insurance providers consider your driving history when determining how much to charge you monthly. Your insurance rate will increase if they discover a traffic violation.
Even though it may be aggravating, distracted driving is one of the primary causes of accidents involving young drivers. For this reason, distracted driving penalties frequently result in increased insurance rates.
Here are the stats: A motorist with a clean driving record in Alaska spends $1,254 on average for auto insurance each year. That amount increases to $1,615 per year after receiving a texting while driving penalty, a 29% increase!
You undoubtedly want to keep your payment as low as possible. Maintaining a clean driving record and paying attention to the road as you drive are two of the best methods to lower your insurance price.
In addition to preventing a spike in your insurance cost, doing this can qualify you for good driving discounts, which may be a game-changer if you’re looking to save a little money.
What If I Drive into Canada?
If you drive into Canada from the United States, you might be concerned about how the law will apply to you.
Beware that the use of mobile phones is outlawed in every province and territory in Canada, including Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
If caught, you might be subject to a $500 punishment in Yukon and a fine between $543 and $888 in British Columbia.
You must abide by local laws if you enter another state or nation by car. You cannot escape a ticket by claiming ignorance of the law; therefore, check the regulations of other states and provinces before you hit the road.
What Is Alaska Doing to Prevent Distracted Driving?
The state currently relies on its texting regulation and severe sanctions to reduce the number of traffic accidents resulting from distracted driving. However, Alaska still allows the use of handheld gadgets.
Most people believe that as more municipalities pass legislation requiring hands-free calling near school zones, these laws will ultimately be enacted statewide.
Contact An Alaska Car Accident Attorney Today!
You may be eligible for compensation if you have suffered an injury in a traffic accident caused by a driver who was texting when driving in Alaska.
Legal Giant can help if you want to speak with an experienced Alaska car accident attorney about your legal right.
Our partner attorneys understand state laws and will do everything to get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us at (855) 740-5024 for a free case evaluation today.
