July 7, 2010—Delaware became the 30th state nationwide and the 11th state this year to ban text messaging while driving.

A bill outlawing the practice, which also included a ban on other hand-held devices, was signed into law on Tuesday by Gov. Jack Markell. The ban will go into effect Jan. 3, 2011.

The following states and the District of Columbia now prohibit text messaging while operating a motor vehicle: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York are also considering improvements to existing laws, or establishing new texting laws.