Possible Ban on Texting and Driving

The bill is headed to its first test in the Public Safety Committee.

News 3 hit the streets to gauge reaction from drivers in Alabama.

Clay Comer lives in Georgia, but drives in Alabama. He says, “I’ve got 200 features on my phone, and I only use one of them, that’s calling and answering.”

But some folks have found more, so many, that the Alabama legislature may make it illegal to cruise and text. 

Cheryl Wilcheck lives in Alabama, ”I think it is an excellent idea, because I myself am guilty of doing that.”

It can be tempting when you get a text message to respond immediately, and it can be easy to forget about the dangers for the other drivers on the road.

Lt. Heath Taylor is with the Russell County Sherriff’s Department.  He says, “There is a place and time for it, but behind the wheel isn’t it.”

The Russell County Sheriff’s Department says right now they can’t pull drivers over simply for texting, but they can if it’s affecting how you drive, and Lt. Taylor says there have been countless cases across Alabama where texting caused an accident.

But some parents say with or without a ban, their kids won’t be doing it, simply because they’re not paying to put it on their cell phone plan.

Cindy Williams told us, “You have to control it when you’re a parent.”

And even if it passes some drivers may still sneak in a “LOL” under the wheel.

As Williams candidly tells us, “Gone is conversation.”

The bill would levy a $25 fine for the first violation. 

Representative Jim McClendon from Springville proposed the bill.