Vaping has become more common over the past few years, especially among younger adults. With the popularity of e-cigarettes and vaping devices growing, many people want to know if it is allowed to vape while driving. Because drug laws in Texas can be hard to understand, it’s important to know the rules about vaping and driving.
Current Legal Framework
At this point, Texas law does not make it clear that smoking while driving is illegal. While driving while vaping is against the law for booze and controlled substances, vaping while driving is not. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t any effects at all. If smoking makes you lose focus on the road, you could be in trouble with the law.
Distracted Driving Concerns
Texas has strict rules about driving while distracted, especially when it comes to using a cell phone. Even though smoking isn’t really the same as using a phone, it can still take your attention away from the road. Distracted driving could happen if, for example, you are busy refilling your vape or changing the settings while you are driving.
Police can choose to give you a ticket for distracted driving if they think your attention is being harmed. If you get caught driving while distracted, you could face fines and points on your record, which could eventually cause your insurance rates to go up.
Public Safety Implications
There are safety risks when you vape and drive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that vaping and other distractions can make it harder for drivers to respond quickly to changes in the road. Vaping often requires touching the device, which can take a driver’s attention away from the road and make crashes more likely.
On top of that, if a driver is involved in an accident while vaping, it could affect claims of responsibility. If it turns out that vaping was a distraction, insurance companies might take that into account when deciding who is at blame and how much to pay.
Underage Vaping
It’s also important to remember that the law changes when it comes to people who are young. In Texas, you have to be 21 years old to buy tobacco goods, like e-cigarettes and vaping devices. Teenagers who vape while driving could get in more trouble with the law, like getting a ticket for having tobacco products without being old enough to do so.
Potential Future Legislation
People still have strong feelings about vaping, so lawmakers may bring new laws to stop people from vaping while they are driving. Public health supporters argue for tighter rules on vaping, especially since using an e-cigarette could be bad for your health.
Conclusion
In Texas, vaping while driving is not against the law, but it could get you in trouble if you get sidetracked while driving. It’s important to keep your eyes on the road and put safety first. If you smoke vape, you might want to do it when you’re not driving. This way, you can make sure you follow all traffic rules and keep yourself and other drivers safe.
Also See:- Is It Illegal to Flip Off a Cop in California? Here’s What the Law Says