Few Citations Issued in Year One of Oklahoma’s Texting and Driving Ban

Tulsa, Okla., police say a modest number of citations have been issued in the first year after Oklahoma banned texting and driving.

The Tulsa World reports 75 citations were issued by the police department between Nov. 1, 2015, and September 2016.

The ban, which has a $100 fine, covers texting and sending emails. Drivers are allowed to text while their vehicle is stopped, such as at a red light.

Tulsa police Cpl. Steve Wood says the ban is difficult to enforce. He says if a driver denies using a phone for an action forbidden by the law, there isn’t much an officer can do.

Police Sgt. Shane Tuell says there isn’t a proactive way to seek out people breaking the ban other than police happening to see instances of traffic violations, but the law was overdue.