By Lisa Autry / Angela Hatton
Bowling Green, KY – A new law goes into effect this week in Kentucky that targets distracted driving. Cell phone texting behind the wheel will become illegal. Tennessee enacted a texting ban last year, but officers have written few tickets. Highway patrol has issued written just 88 citations since July 2009. Trooper Travis Plotzer says that doesn't mean the ban isn't having an impact.
"It also doesn't show the number of verbal warnings given though. We're not always out just to write tickets. We do it try to alter their driving habits. Sometimes you can accomplish the same thing just by giving a verbal warning because giving a citation is up to an officer's discretion."
Once Kentucky's law takes effect Thursday, law enforcement will issue warnings until next January. After that, police will begin levying a 25 dollar fine for first offenses, and 50 dollars for every offense after that.