Kansas has become the 26th state to pass a texting while driving ban, as Gov. Mark Parkinson signed an anti-texting bill into law recently.
The new law outlaws texting by all drivers.

"Distracted driving is a dangerous practice that kills thousands and injures hundreds of thousands each year," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "By signing this texting ban, Governor Parkinson has helped save lives and will make Kansas roads safer for everyone."

Drivers caught texting will receive warnings until Jan. 1, 2011, after which law enforcement will issue $60 fines for violations. Because it is a primary law, police officers can stop motorists suspected of this offense alone.

The U.S. Department of Transportation released a sample bill for state legislatures to use as a starting point to craft measures to ban texting. Last year, more than 200 distracted driving bills were under consideration by state legislatures, and the pace is expected to increase this year, the DOT says.

For more information about the DOT's efforts to combat distracted driving, visit www.distraction.gov.