Brownwood News – Drivers in the Brownwood area and all across Texas could soon be facing fines if caught texting while driving. Effective today, a statewide texting-while-driving ban creates a misdemeanor offense for the drivers who uses a portable wireless communication device to read, write, or send an electronic message while operating the vehicle, unless the vehicle is stopped.

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First-time violators could be fined up to $99 or $200 for a repeat offense.

“We are in education mode,” said Brownwood Police Chief Terry Nichols. “We will be reminding drivers,” the chief said, explaining officers are likely to be issuing warnings for drivers caught texting. “We will start enforcing after the education phase.”

While the ban is most known to be against texting, it is important to note this also applies to sending any electronic message on a variety of platforms, including social media. This means no tweeting or updating your Facebook status while driving.

School zone penalties are still in effect for cell phone usage, both texting or talking on your phone. Don’t do it. If convicted, drivers caught using their cell phones at all while driving through a school zone could receive a $200 fine.

It is still legal for drivers to use their phone for GPS navigation, and using music apps, but drivers could get pulled over if an officer suspects them of texting.

The new law also states that if an accident caused by texting and driving results in the death or serious bodily injury of another person, they can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000 and confinement in jail for up to one year.