Drivers are going to have to switch over to hands free devices on July 1. But drivers could still send text messages. Well, the Sacramento Bee is reporting that texting while driving could be the next offense.

California measure targets texting while driving

By Jim Sanders

Newest target? Texting.

Call it a loophole, perhaps, but California's ban on driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone does not extend to text messaging.

Put simply, adult motorists who can't hold a phone to their ear beginning July 1 can use the same device to type out messages.

But they'd better hurry.

Legislation proposed Thursday by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, would add texting to the cell phone ban he championed.

"Texting while driving is so obviously unsafe that it's hard to believe anyone would attempt it, yet every-day observation suggests there are an awful lot of folks who do," Simitian said. Read more.