Lafayette Police To Crackdown On Those Texting and Driving
The Lafayette Police Department has announced that they will be cracking down on those who are texting and driving.
The campaign to address this problem within the city limits will start on September 12, 2016 and will continue throughout the month of September.
In the statement released by the Lafayette Police Department, officers working the detail will respond to those texting and driving with ZERO TOLERANCE.
According to La. Highway Safety, the original law in Louisiana was as such when it comes to texting while driving:
"No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon any public road or highway of this state while using a wireless telecommunications device to write ,send, or read a text–based communication. It is a moving violation and a primary offense. The first violation is punishable by a $175 fine. Each subsequent violation is punishable by a $500 fine. Navigation with a global positioning system and use during emergencies are allowed."
Since then, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into law that first time violators will be fined up to $500 instead of the previous $175. Fines will go up to $1,000, as opposed to $500, for additional violations.
As always, we encourage you to NEVER text and drive.