Anderson Injury Lawyers | June 9, 2025 | Car Accidents

Can You Use Your Phone While Driving in Texas?

Phones are a constant part of our lives, but using one while driving can be a serious danger. Whether you’re texting a friend, using GPS, or scrolling through social media, taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can lead to a devastating car accident. 

That’s why Texas has put laws in place to limit how and when you can use your phone behind the wheel. If you’re wondering what the rules are in Texas—or what happens if you break them—here’s what you need to know.

What Does Texas Law Say About Phone Use While Driving?

In Texas, texting while driving is banned statewide. This law applies to all drivers, no matter how old they are or how much experience they have. Using a handheld device to read, write, or send text messages while operating a vehicle is illegal and can result in fines.

Beyond that, certain drivers face even stricter rules:

  • Drivers under 18: Can’t use any wireless communication devices at all.
  • Bus drivers: Not allowed to use cell phones while driving with passengers on board.
  • School zones: Using a handheld device is banned when driving through an active school zone, unless you’re using a hands-free setup.

These laws are in place to protect everyone on the road. Police officers can issue citations if they see someone breaking these rules.

What About Talking on the Phone or Using GPS?

Talking on the phone is still legal in many situations, but it must be hands-free if you’re in a school zone or under certain age restrictions. Adults over 18 can generally make calls while driving, though using a speakerphone, Bluetooth headset, or in-car system is strongly encouraged.

Using GPS is also allowed, but drivers should program their destination before starting the vehicle. Constantly tapping or swiping at a screen while moving can still be considered distracted driving. Several safety-focused guides on driver responsibility recommend minimizing screen use even when it seems legal.

What Happens if You Break the Law?

The first time you’re caught texting while driving in Texas, you could be fined between $25 and $99. If it happens again, the fine goes up to $100 to $200. If someone gets seriously hurt or dies because of a distracted driving crash, the penalties can be much more severe.

Beyond the fines, breaking Texas phone laws can:

  • Add points to your driving record
  • Lead to higher insurance rates
  • Affect legal claims if you’re involved in an accident

If someone is hurt in a crash where phone use is a factor, it can make personal injury or wrongful death cases much more complicated. Legal resources often explore how distracted driving can impact a case’s outcome.

Why Distracted Driving Is So Dangerous

Looking at your phone for just five seconds at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Distracted driving—including phone use—is one of the leading causes of serious accidents in Texas.

Many injury claims and legal articles point to phone use as a key factor in rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, and pedestrian injuries. Even a quick glance at a screen can delay reaction time enough to cause permanent harm.

If you want to stay out of trouble and keep the roads safe, here are a few tips:

  • Use a hands-free device like Bluetooth or a mounted phone holder.
  • Set up GPS routes before you start driving.
  • Pull over if you need to send a message or take a call.
  • Turn on Do Not Disturb mode while driving.

These simple habits can protect you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. They also help keep you in compliance with Texas law.

If you’re ever in a crash where phone use might be involved—whether it was your fault or someone else’s—it’s important to understand your legal rights. Many accident cases involve distracted driving claims, and evidence of phone use can play a major role in determining liability.

Several practice area pages and legal blog posts explain how these types of cases work, especially when it comes to proving fault and calculating damages.

Don’t Let a Text Cost You Everything

You can’t always control what happens on the road, but you can control whether your phone distracts you. In Texas, using your phone while driving isn’t just risky—it can be illegal. Stay alert, follow the law, and make smart choices every time you get behind the wheel.

If you have been involved in an accident with a distracted driver, reach out to Anderson Injury Lawyers today to get help.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Texas

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.

Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900

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