In Alaska, texting while driving is a primary offense that carries a fine of up to $500 and adds two points to your driving record.
If you think that sounds steep, you’re right—Alaska has one of the strictest laws against texting and driving in the United States. But it’s strict for good reason: each year, distracted driving causes over 3,000 deaths and 400,000 injuries. Alaska is one of the 48 states that have come together to ban texting while driving.
To help keep the roads safe and your insurance payments low, you can get to know the texting and driving laws in your state. Here to break them down for you, step by step, is car insurance
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. We’ll explain the Alaska texting and driving laws in simple terms and summarize the penalties you might be facing if you’re ticketed for texting and driving. We'll also show you how to keep your Alaska car insurance costs
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Start earning nowWhat are the texting and driving laws in Alaska?
In Alaska, texting and driving is a primary offense, which means that you can be pulled over just for texting (even if you aren’t violating any other laws).
Each of these forms of communication is illegal while driving in Alaska:
Other types of social media messaging (if you have to type while driving, it’s probably illegal!)
Keep in mind that this law applies to other types of screens as well. If your car has a touchscreen that can be used for communication, you’ll still be ticketed for texting and driving if an officer catches you tapping away at it.
Hands-free texting is a better alternative to texting while driving. Although it can still be a distraction, it’s not prohibited by Alaska law.
Are there exceptions to Alaska’s texting and driving law?
Here’s a quick run-through of some exceptions to the texting and driving law:
You can use your cell phone for voice-to-text or phone calls
You can use equipment that is for display only (maps, audio levels, etc.)
You can use your phone as a GPS with pre-loaded navigation
You can use screens that help you drive safely (such as backup cameras)
MORE: Driving to Alaska: tips, tricks, and laws
Key Takeaway In Alaska, you can be ticketed just for texting while driving. As an alternative to texting, you can use hands-free texting—or better yet, wait until you’ve arrived to send a text.
What are the penalties for texting and driving in Alaska?
When it comes to texting and driving penalties, Alaska doesn’t mess around—your first violation could land you a fine of $500 and tack two demerit points onto your driving record.
Here’s how Alaska’s penalty structure shakes out:
Remember, even a traffic violation that doesn’t cause injuries will add a couple of points to your license. If you get 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months, your license will be suspended—so it’s best to put the phone down and keep your focus on the road!
Are there special rules about texting and driving for young drivers?
Though some states have a special ban on phones for teenage drivers, Alaska isn’t one of them—Alaska’s texting and driving laws affect everybody equally.
Can texting and driving raise my insurance premium?
Yes. When car insurance companies are deciding how much to charge you each month, they take a look at your driving history. If they see a traffic violation, your insurance rate will jump up.
As frustrating as that may be, distracted driving is one of the main reasons for accidents among young drivers, so distracted driving tickets
often lead to a higher insurance rate. Let’s take a look at the numbers: in Alaska, a driver with a clean record pays an average of $1,254 per year on car insurance. After a ticket for texting while driving, that number rockets up to $1,615 per year—a 29% increase!
No doubt, you’re hoping to keep your payment low. One of the best ways to save money on your insurance premium is to focus on the road while you’re driving and keep a clean driving record. Not only will this prevent your insurance rate from spiking, but it’ll also make you eligible for clean driving discounts
—which can be a game-changer if you’re trying to save a little dough. How to find affordable car insurance in Alaska
When it comes to lowering your car insurance payment, here’s the holy trinity: keep a squeaky-clean driving record, apply for discounts through your insurer, and find the cheapest policy on the market.
Lucky for you, we can help with that last one! Just download the car insurance
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