NC gov. bans text-messaging by motorists, gets word out by texting: ‘Hope u r not driving now’

NC gov. warns texters: ‘Hope u r not driving now’

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina has become the seventh state to pass a ban this year on texting while driving. So how did Gov. Beverly Perdue get the word out?

She had an aide send a text message Friday announcing the governor has signed the ban into law.

Using abbreviations common to the text-messaging world, Perdue spokeswoman Chrissy Pearson tapped out a message announcing the signing: “This msg 2 u was composed while I was behind my desk, not behind the wheel. Hope u r not driving now.”

State lawmakers passed the legislation last week and the law takes effect Dec. 1.

A national highway safety group says North Carolina becomes the 14th state in recent years to bar texting while driving in hopes of curbing driver distraction and accidents.