Lawmakers push texting and driving ban

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A crushed windshield and flattened tires stuck out on the Texas Capitol grounds Wednesday as a reminder to those entering the building of the dangers of texting while driving. The wrecked pickup truck belonged to teenager Alex Brown, who died doing just that.

Brown’s parents testified Wednesday morning before the House Committee on Transportation about the accident. The Browns brought along the truck, in addition to appearing on the House floor for a memorial resolution.

Their testimony was part of a push for a bill to create a statewide ban on texting while driving. Under HB 243, that would include text messaging, instant messaging and composing e-mails.

While Texas does not have a statewide ban on this practice, several cities already do: Dallas, San Antonio, Galveston, El Paso, Missouri City and Austin.

Austin Police Department staff said officers have handed out 156 citations since its ban began in February 2010.

More than 20 states have a ban on texting while driving. A recent survey by the Texas Transportation Institute found that 52 percent of Texas drivers support legislation banning mobile phone use while driving.

However, groups like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute have released reports showing little to no change in traffic accidents, negative driver behavior, and difficulty in enforcing such laws in states with the ban.

The Highway Loss Data Institute showed crash rates in California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington rose in three of the states after the bans went into effect. No states had a reduction in the amount of accidents.

Texas already has laws to ban texting for drivers younger than 18 and bus drivers when children are present. Drivers also cannot use a handheld device in school zones at all.

During Wednesday’s hearing, the bill’s author, Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland , fell and hit his head. His office said he has been “rehabilitating a pain in his leg and recently taking pain medication for an infected tooth.”

Craddick was sitting up and making jokes as he left the committee hearing room shortly before being transported to the University Medical Center at Brackenridge . His condition is not considered serious, according to his staff.

Another bill filed this session would ban talking on the phone while driving unless the driver uses a hands-free device. Another would toughen penalties for drivers who violate the existing ban on phone use in a school zone.

Source : http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/politics/push-for-state-ban-on-texting-%26-driving