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Saturday, January 02, 2010

Ind. Laws - More on: "Lawmaker to push texting-driving ban"

Updating this ILB entry from Nov. 3, 2009, two bills now have been introduced in the General Assembly this year that would ban texting while driving: SB 18 (authored by Senator Holdman) and SB 111 (authored by Senator Lanane).

Today the NY Times has a front-page story by Matt Richtel headlined "Bills to Curb Distracted Driving Gain Momentum." Some quotes:

When its legislature convenes this year, Kansas will consider banning motorists from sending text messages. South Carolina will, too, and debate whether to prohibit drivers from using phones altogether, or requiring them to use hands-free devices when they call. New Jersey lawmakers have proposed banning drivers from manipulating a navigation system in a moving car.

In all, lawmakers have already proposed 200 bills to curb distracted driving, and policy analysts expect to see dozens more in the coming months.

“It’s the hottest safety issue in the states right now by far,” said Jonathan Adkins, spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state highway safety agencies.

The flurry of state activity — coupled with intensifying action by federal legislators and regulators, and by the cellphone and auto industries — is putting renewed focus on the risks of using phones behind the wheel, according to policy analysts.

They acknowledge that there is no certainty of how many of the bills will become law, and say that the number of bills is running just slightly ahead of last year’s tally.

But they assert the proposals are being met with less resistance than in years past from legislators, and are enjoying newfound industry support. For example, cellphone and auto companies have joined lobbying efforts for legislation to ban texting while driving.

“People are starting to see it like drunk driving, and that’s the comparison we need to continue to make,” said Steve Farley, an Arizona state representative from Tucson. * * *

Generally, states regulate their roadways — which is why, safety advocates say, the actions of state lawmakers play such a critical role in addressing the issue. (Currently, 19 states and Washington ban texting while driving, and six states and Washington require use of hands-free devices by motorists talking on phones.)

The Times story provides this link to its earlier stories on distracted driving.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 2, 2010 06:56 PM
Posted to Indiana Law