Arkansas law, also known as Paul's Law, prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle from typing, text messaging, emailing, or accessing information on the internet with a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle.
The intent of the law is to:
- Improve the safety of the roads for all drivers and passengers by prohibiting a driver of a motor vehicle from engaging in text messaging;
- To prevent accidents caused by the distractive practice of text messaging while operating a motor vehicle;
- To preserve life and maintain safety of the citizens of the State of Arkansas and visitors to our state by taking steps to reduce motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and deaths; to reduce health care costs, health insurance rates, and automobile insurance rates by attempting to reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents that cause injury, death, or property damage; and
- To reduce the amount of time that law enforcement and the court system work on accidents and offenses arising out of motor vehicle accidents caused by drivers who are distracted by sending or reading text messages