Can you text at a red light in NC? Here’s what state law says

Evan Moore
·2 min read

Waiting until you stop at a red light to respond to text may seem like a good idea, but doing so could have deadly consequences.

Distracted driving, or driving while focusing your attention on anything else but the road, is one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2021, nearly 20% of the crashes in North Carolina involved a distracted driver, according to the most recent data available from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.

That same year, a law that would have made holding a cell phone while driving illegal stalled in the N.C. Senate, WRAL reported.

While most people in North Carolina can talk on their phones on the road, you could get pulled over for texting.

Can NC drivers text at red lights?

In North Carolina, it is illegal for adults to send or read text messages while driving, regardless of where they are on the road, according to state law.

Texting and driving is also illegal for commercial vehicle drivers, but there are a few exceptions:

  • The operator of the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped

  • The operator is a law enforcement officer, a fire department member, or an ambulance driver performing official duties.

  • The operator uses a factory-installed or aftermarket GPS to receive data as part of a digital dispatch system.

  • The operator is using voice-operated technology.

State law says it is against the law for people under 18 to use any mobile device while driving, including cell phones. The only exceptions to the rule are if the person communicates with a first responder in an emergency or with a parent or guardian.

What happens if you get caught texting and driving?

According to state law, adults in North Carolina who are caught texting while driving can be fined $100, but the violation does not result in points added to a driver’s license or increased auto insurance rates.

State law says Those under 18 who violate the texting and driving law could face a $25 fine.