Can a North Carolina officer stop a driver solely for texting while driving, without another violation?
No — texting is only a secondary offense.
NC treats texting as a primary offense.
Yes — texting is a primary offense in North Carolina.
Only if the driver is under 18.
The law applies to all drivers.
Only in school zones.
The ban is statewide on all roads.
North Carolina (like most US states) treats texting while driving as a primary offense — officers can stop drivers for texting alone, with no other violation required. The fine is $100 plus court costs for a first offense. Reading, typing, or sending texts are all covered; GPS and music controls are generally exempt.
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