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Some communities throughout the state have looked at legislation to ban texting while driving. Under House Bill 1316, it could now become state law.
State Rep. Danny Morgan is introducing a bill that would make texting a criminal violation. In addition, the bill would prohibit all persons aged 18 and under from using a cell phone when driving unless it is an emergency. The bill would also ban cell phone usage while driving in an area designated as a school crossing or a construction zone.
State Rep. Paul Roan (D) of Tishomingo is a co-author of the bill and in looking back at his career in law enforcement, sees the need for legislation.
“We have been trying to pass different inattentive driving laws because of people not devoting their time to driving,” Roan said. “I have been in law enforcement for 30 years and I have worked too many accidents because of inattentive driving.”
The bill is a continuation of a law passed last fall banning the use of electronic handheld devices for those that have a graduated license.
The law also penalized drivers whose use of a cell phone or text messaging device resulted in a wreck.
Now, texting for all ages and cell phone usage by a driver 18 and under would result in a fine with passage of the bill.
“You have different degrees of law and this will be a primary cause law,” Roan said. “If a policeman sees you texting, that in itself is a violation. Now it is a secondary charge.
“When we first had a seatbelt law, the police officer had to see you do a different violation before he could charge you. Now, more and more people are wearing a seatbelt. We have 87 percent compliance in the seatbelt law.”
Roan is one of 12 co-authors of the bill, which is addressing a growing problem. For Roan, passage of the bill would simply make sense.
“All in all, I think that it is a good safety bill,” Roan said. “I think that it will save lives.”
Some communities throughout the state have looked at legislation to ban texting while driving. Under House Bill 1316, it could now become state law.
State Rep. Danny Morgan is introducing a bill that would make texting a criminal violation. In addition, the bill would prohibit all persons aged 18 and under from using a cell phone when driving unless it is an emergency. The bill would also ban cell phone usage while driving in an area designated as a school crossing or a construction zone.
State Rep. Paul Roan (D) of Tishomingo is a co-author of the bill and in looking back at his career in law enforcement, sees the need for legislation.
“We have been trying to pass different inattentive driving laws because of people not devoting their time to driving,” Roan said. “I have been in law enforcement for 30 years and I have worked too many accidents because of inattentive driving.”
The bill is a continuation of a law passed last fall banning the use of electronic handheld devices for those that have a graduated license.
The law also penalized drivers whose use of a cell phone or text messaging device resulted in a wreck.
Now, texting for all ages and cell phone usage by a driver 18 and under would result in a fine with passage of the bill.
“You have different degrees of law and this will be a primary cause law,” Roan said. “If a policeman sees you texting, that in itself is a violation. Now it is a secondary charge.
“When we first had a seatbelt law, the police officer had to see you do a different violation before he could charge you. Now, more and more people are wearing a seatbelt. We have 87 percent compliance in the seatbelt law.”
Roan is one of 12 co-authors of the bill, which is addressing a growing problem. For Roan, passage of the bill would simply make sense.
“All in all, I think that it is a good safety bill,” Roan said. “I think that it will save lives.”
