SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- This fall, Maine will become the 33rd state in the nation to ban texting for all drivers. The bill passed by the legislature Tuesday goes into effect 90 days after the legislative session ends early this summer.
You can be fined $100 for reading or writing a text, email or instant message while driving. You can still use your GPS and make phone calls.
The exceptions for GPS and calling have made enforcement difficult for law enforcement in other states. But South Portland Police Officer Rocco Navarro says there are plenty of obvious cases out there. Navarro has become a big advocate for a texting ban ever since his cruiser was hit by a distracted driver last November.
Navarro said, "There are going to be grey areas, but.. texting is a prolongued activity. And a reasonable person would assume that if someone is sitting there playing around with their phone, they're either texting or doing something other than making a phone call."
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