Texting While Driving

In Kansas and Missouri, all drivers are prohibited from

texting while driving. Texting refers to the use of a wireless

communication device -- any "wireless electronic communication

device that provides for voice or data communication between two

or more parties, including, but not limited to, a mobile or cellular

telephone, a text messaging device, a personal digital assistant

that sends or receives messages, an audio-video player that

sends or receives messages or a laptop computer."A"wireless

communication device" does not include a device

which is voice-operated and which allows the user to send or

receive a text based communication without the use of either

hand, except to activate or deactivate a feature or function. 

 

Drivers may not " write, send or read a written communication " which means they may not use a wireless communication device to manually type, send or read a written communication, including, but not limited to, a text message, instant message or electronic mail.

 

Exceptions: 
(1) A law enforcement officer or emergency service personnel acting within the course and scope of the law enforcement officer's or emergency service personnel's employment;
(2) a motor vehicle stopped off the regular traveled portion of the roadway;
(3) a person who reads, selects or enters a telephone number or name in a wireless communiations device for the purpose of making or receiving a phone call;
(4) a person who receives an emergency, traffic or weather alert message; or
(5) a person receiving a message related to the operation or navigation of the motor vehicle.

 

Drivers are not prohibited from using a wireless communications device while operating a moving motor vehicle to:
(1) Report current or ongoing illegal activity to law enforcement;
(2) prevent imminent injury to a person or property; or
(3) relay information between transit or for-hire operator and the operator's dispather, in which the device is permanently affixed to the motor vehicle.

 

A person ticketed under the anti-texting law will face a fine of $60. Kansas’s novice driver cell phone and texting laws are considered “primary” laws. A primary law means that an officer can pull you over for the offense without having to witness some other violation. That is, the officer sees you texting and issues a citation. 

 

Information provided by Driving Laws