Maryland Considers Text-Message Driving Ban
posted 6:29 am Wed February 27, 2008 - Annapolis
State lawmakers rejected a bill Tuesday that would have allowed drivers to be fined $500 for reading, writing or sending text messages by phone or PDA while operating a car. Though Maryland doesn't ban drivers from talking on phones while driving, sponsors say texting is even more dangerous and should be banned. But the battle is not over. Supporters hope a similar text message ban, a House bill due for a public hearing next week, will get a friendlier reception.
A bill proposed Friday by Democratic Delegate Jeffrey Waldstreicher of Montgomery County would make texting illegal, though talking on a cell phone would still be allowed. "I have a lot of friends who've gotten into car accidents because they're texting. They roll forward and stuff," said one driver. Waldstreicher says texting is more dangerous than talking on the phone because it takes a driver's eyes off the road.
Though there are few statistics tracking teens and texting, bill supporters say teens don't need extra distractions. Car crashes are the number one cause of death for that age group.
Late in 2007, six teens died in just 30 days in Charles County. When lawmakers asked what they could do to help, high school leaders suggested a change in the law. Violators could face a $70 ticket.
"People talk on the phone all the time-I don't think they want to get in an accident, but I don't think they care," said one driver.
For now, the bill would only cover teens with a permit or a provisional license; fully licensed drivers are exempt.
Some law enforcers say that may make it tough for them to decide who is breaking the law, but supporters say the bill's message is one worth sending to teens.
It's hard to know how many more teens could face tickets, legislators who support it say there's no agency that tracks teen tickets statewide.
Text message bans have been approved in New Jersey, Washington state and Phoenix. Massachusetts' state House approved a text message ban after a 13-year-old boy died, allegedly as a result of a man driving an SUV while text-messaging.
The proposal had the support of AAA, but the Maryland bill ran into opposition from lawmakers who questioned whether texting is a distraction so unique it needs its own ban.
Skeptics say texting while driving is a necessity sometimes.
Latest Comment on Maryland Considers Text-Message Driving Ban
holtonfb
2:23 pm on 02/28/08
bubba .. enlighten me .. just how can you tell if a cop is surfing the web .. chatting on yahoo .. bidding on ebay .. or any other activity other than police work while the car is moving .. and if you are looking into their car .. then you aren't driving safel;y ..
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