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Lawmaker wants to make texting while driving a violation

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By CATHERINE WHITTENBURG | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 1, 2009

Updated: 10/01/2009 06:35 pm

TALLAHASSEE - Florida lawmakers are reviving a proposal in the state Legislature to ban texting on handheld mobile devices while driving.

Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera announced today that he has filed a bill to make texting-while-driving a noncriminal moving violation, subject to fines.

"Sending text messages or emails while driving places both the driver and those on the road around them in danger," said Altman, R-Viera. "We need additional highway safety laws in place to address the growing use of mobile devices while driving."

Similar proposals failed during last spring's legislative session -- including one conceived by a Leto High School senior, which targeted the use of handheld devices by young drivers in particular.

Altman's bill does not address all uses of handheld devices, such as talking on a cell phone while driving. But he believes, he said, that more media attention to driver texting has fueled public interest in stopping the behavior. "I think people are beginning to realize just how dangerous these behaviors are."

Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, has filed a similar bill in the state House for the second straight year. At least a dozen other states are considering bans on texting for drivers; 18 already have some sort of prohibition already in place. Congress is also considering proposals to crack down on the practice.

Several studies have indicated that texting while driving boosts the risk of accidents. In 2007, researchers at Clemson University reported that text messaging and using iPods caused drivers to drift out of their lanes 10 percent more often than other drivers. In 2008, a study commissioned by the British Royal Automobile Club Foundation revealed that text-messaging impaired driving ability by 35 percent -- even more than use of marijuana did.

Altman filed his bill in Tallahassee as federal transportation officials held a two-day "Distracted Drivers Summit" in Washington, D.C., to highlight the problem nationwide. One area of particular focus: the rising rate of texting while driving, particularly among teens.

"We now know that the worst offenders are the youngest, least experienced drivers," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in prepared remarks. "Unfortunately though, the problem doesn't end there. Distracted driving occurs across all age groups and all modes of transportation, from cars to buses and trucks to trains. We must work together to find solutions that will prevent crashes caused by driver distraction."

But texting is not the only thing driving motorists to distraction, according to federal officials; talking on cell phones is another hazard. Wednesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report revealing that 6,000 deaths resulted from distracted driving last year.

Altman said he considered addressing the issue of drivers talking on cell phones as well, but decided to limit his proposal to texting only. "We're focusing on the most aberrant, dangerous behavior -- reading and writing texts. At least when you're talking, you're looking ahead at the road."

He expects, though, that Florida will have to address cell phone use as well at some point -- "at a minimum, requiring hands-free … I think we need to look at it."

Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382.

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