Bill to punish text messaging while driving moving through Michigan legislature
State legislators are working on a measure that would allow police to ticket text-messaging drivers if they otherwise break the law while texting and driving.
Earlier this week, a bill passed the state House of Representatives 94 to 13. The state Senate’s transportation committee approved a similar package of bills, which is expected to be considered by the full Senate by the end of next week, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Texting while driving could become a secondary offense.
File photo
If passed, the infraction would carry a fine for text messaging while driving, but would not add points to a driver’s record.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, at least 19 states, Washington D.C. and Guam ban text messaging for drivers. Nine states ban text messaging by novice drivers and six states, Washginton D.C., and the Virgin Islands prohibit cell phone use while driving altogether.
At a national summit on Distracted Driving held earlier this year, Secretary of Transportation Roy LaHood called distracted driving a “menace to society.”
University of Michigan transportation expert David Eby spoke at the summit and said texting disrupts safe driving performance for both novice and experienced drivers. The effects on crash risk have yet to be scientifically investigated, but are likely increased, he said in expanded remarks.
In Ann Arbor, two City Council members said in August that they planned to bring forward a resolution to effectively ban cell phone usage while driving. The entire council has not yet taken up the issue.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
Yogi
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 4:10 p.m.
It's been proven to be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. How could anybody be against this legislation? If the information is so important that it must be responded immediately (which I doubt there is such a thing)pull over and reply! However enforcement is going to be a nightmare.
djm12652
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 2:01 p.m.
The government is, a majority of the time, our worst enemy. This however, is legislation to try and keep the multitudes of sheeple idiots out there from maiming and killing people. Unless of course, being able to do what you want as a Personal Freedom, includes the right to endanger others. Why not make mugging someone a Personal Freedom to get crack money? I've lost two nieces to drivers that were "distracted" in head on collisions. One driver was completely drunk, they other had been drinking but was trying to make a phone call while buzzed...may God help those that feel their rights are being infringed should the time come when either they are in an accident while texting or another driver is texting and they are injured.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 1:55 p.m.
It would be better to enact a law mandating that the police examine your cell phone records if there's an accident causing any damage or injury. Then, if you're found to have texted or called immediately prior to the accident, you are determined at fault, negligent, and subject to the same penalties as those who are drunk at the scene of an accident. This is entirely different from the smoking ban, where there's demonstrated harm from using the product according to instructions. A cell phone is a safe product if used correctly. And no, I have never used a cell phone in any manner while driving. The studies have convinced me it's quite dangerous.
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 1:22 p.m.
Pam Byrnes' office put out a press release on the texting ban. It says that nearly 80 percent of accidents and 65 percent of near-accidents involve drivers looking away from the roadway within three seconds of the event, according to a 2006 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Drivers who are busy texting are not focused on the road and put their lives and the lives of other motorists in jeopardy," Byrnes, who voted for the plan, said in the release. "Unless we crack down on texting while driving, we'll continue to see completely preventable accidents and deaths on roadways across the state. This plan is about protecting public safety and ensuring residents make it home safely."
bhall
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 1:12 p.m.
I totally agree with Bardallis. First those government goons take away our freedom to drink and drive ( I mean, come on, how am i going to get to and from the bar ), then they take away my freedom to trap my neighbors outdoor cats for food. What's next?
bluetuba
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 12:22 p.m.
If this is only a secondary offense it will not impact people's lives enough to make a radical change. It needs to be a primary offense. Look at all the states thqat have banned cell use while driving and people still do it immediately after starting the car (even the Governor's wife), because it is a secondary offense! Please make driving teh car most important!
Dave
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 11:58 a.m.
This is disgusting. Another freedom GONE! Dont they already have rules on the book as a result from poor driving. Regardless the cause. if you are swerving from one lane to the next you should be ticketed for reckless driving. No texting while driving. Why is this so hard to understand?
mermaid72
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 11:20 a.m.
Hey "God's Hammer", What has socialism got to do with preventing Brittany from getting behind mom's big, honking SUV and texting/twittering (whatever that is) Tyler Jr. about getting her nails done for the prom? Sure hope you aren't in front of her when she is too busy to see that the light turned red. Hope your car insurance is paid up, or is that too socialistic? It's about trying to save a few lives from idiotic, distracted drivers, period!
god's hammer
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 11:19 a.m.
David Bardallis, my point exactly!!! So first it starts with "texting" then what is next? How about not allowing you to listen to the radio because the government sights a study saying that it also is a distraction? I am not doubting that texting can be somewhat distracting for SOME, (same as drink driving, give me a break!) but it is not our governments job to tell a free person what they can or cant do, only my God can do that! I'll tell you, some of you so called conservatives are just as bad as the liberals.
David Bardallis
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 10:38 a.m.
I don't know what's more depressing: The fact that government goons think they have the right to micromanage everyone's lives and properties or that so many people applaud them. Actually, the latter is definitely more depressing.
Soothslayer
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 10:28 a.m.
RE: "It's just as bad as drunk driving" what? lol no not at all if you do it properly. I've seen and done both and DWI is much much worse as you have little/no ability to correct. Tons of people must be texting & driving but there isnt clear evidence that its the root cause of additional issues (per article above). I must say that I feel highly alert during driving & message composing because it can be dangerous and have a device that allows me to do so without having to constantly direct attention to & look at it (probably the real danger issue). Might as well ban daydreaming, car radios, arguing & old drivers because I can sure as heck tell you with the amount of accidents each and every time it rains, snows or an invisible squirrel runs across the road alot of people arent paying attention (or simply dont have the concentration/skills to be driving to begin with). A car is a massive and very dangerous 30 - 70MPH projectile yet we lightly treat the licensing & re-issuing of such. Staring at anything other than the road for any more than a second when your car is at speed is a VERY very bad idea, I dont care if its texting, a map, your kids in the back seat, your hair/makeup (yeah I've seen women drive with the visors down & mirrors out), getting stuff that falls to the floor, swatting a bee, etc. These behaviorus should all be considered reckless endagerment but no way to easily stop. How are they going to prove texting except to physically observe and who's to say you werent simply looking at your phone to see who was calling? What if you're just looking through your phone directory for a number to call? How can we assure tht this new 1st offense law not be abused abused to randomly stop people and how can it possibly be differentiated from other "allowed" behaviours?
walker101
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 10:25 a.m.
Now we need to stop cell phone usage while driving.
djm12652
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 10:18 a.m.
godshammer...Personal Freedom is one of our greatest gifts as Americans. But the "right" to cause harm to another is not a freedom. As someone who thinks most Republicans are too liberal, I can tell you that someone hitting hit me with their car when I'm LEGALLY crossing the street because they're busy texting cannot and should not be tolerated. What about my "freedom" to obey the law and pay attention to traffic lights? The distracted driver can infringe on everyone's "freedom" to live. If a person operates a vehicle under the influence, the consequences for their lack of responsible driving would be to lose their license, etc; I think this legislation is a weak attempt, at the very least, to stave off more vehicular tragedies.
treetowncartel
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 10:11 a.m.
If it affects the public health, safety and welfare they can pass legislation. Clearly, this meets the test.
Smiley
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 9:57 a.m.
god's hammer - I support capitalism at least as much as you do, but this is simply regulating behavior that has a very high liklihood of affecting (in a potentially devastating manner) the lives of others. I have no problem with this type of regulation, and would absolutely support a ban on the use of all mobile devices (including phones) while a vehicle is on public roads and in motion.
unclemercy
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 9:48 a.m.
this is great news. i was getting really worried with all of these people around me making there own decisions. this will be easily enforced. give me a call if you care to discuss further.
pfunkyfize
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 9:34 a.m.
Can't tell you how long I've waited for legislation like this. Drivers had enough distractions on the road before the addiction of personal communication devices even came into the mix, they don't need the extra distractions while they squeeze into those extra few minutes the 'need' to call someone or twitter behind the wheel. Regardless of bluetooth/hands-free hogwash. For those that don't care and continue to be chatty Cathy's behind the wheel, they should quit being selfish and think of the other lives they can snuff out on the road around them...Sorry this is an emotional topic for me after being almost sideswiped in the bike lane while I responsibly bike in it by careless motorists texting/jabbering on the phone instead of taking care of the real business behind the wheel.
god's hammer
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 9:19 a.m.
It's called "Personal Freedom" just more government telling you what you can and cannot do. Thats Socialism in my book. Though not surprising considering what party is in power.
gobluefnp
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
White Elephant? People are dying--I think that warrants this being a worthy effort. Thank goodness for elected officials who can multitask.
tdw
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
don't worry about texting ban smoking while driving
theodynus
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
"A person shall not read, write, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device that is located in the person's hand or in the person's lap" I am so totally going to come up with a steering wheel mount for iPhones.
xmo
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 8:45 a.m.
Unemployment is is at 20%, the State has a budget crisis and our elected officals are spending their time writing laws about Texting. Talk about avoiding the elephant in the room?
Bob W
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 7:39 a.m.
"In Ann Arbor, two City Council members said in August that they planned to bring forward a resolution to effectively ban cell phone usage while driving. The entire council has not yet taken up the issue." Now this is the measure I would support. Too bad the entire state/nation doesn't have the moxy to push this through. Driving is a full-time job, folks. Treat it as such.
yohan
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 7:05 a.m.
It's just as bad as drunk driving