Take Me To Post Comment Form Will our legislators get this message?
State lawmakers will take up a bill to ban text messaging while driving. Allen Peake (R-Macon) has introduced HB 938, which will prohibit the use of wireless telecommunications devices for sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle.
AAA Auto Club South supports the bill — the AAA is trying to get text messaging by drivers banned in all 50 states. So far, 18 states and the District of Columbia have done so. Teens and other new drivers are prohibited texting while driving in two other states.
AAA’s research shows that at least one in five drivers has texted behind the wheel in the last 30 days.
Peake told the Associated Press, “I used to text like crazy while driving.”
He may not be the only one — the number of monthly text messages has topped 110 billion.
Catching texters on the move won’t be easy. Our cops have their hands full already chasing down speeders and getting DUIs off the road. I know they take DUI seriously, but our state could really ratchet up the pressure on DUIs, like punishing those who place a vehicle in the hands of a habitual violator.
There are a lot of meaningless bills that float around the General Assembly early in the session. This one, however, has a great deal of merit and needs to be passed.