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N.J. Lawmakers Look To Ban Texting While Driving

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Mar 23, 2007 5:38 am US/Eastern

N.J. Lawmakers Look To Ban Texting While Driving

Motorists Could Be Hit With $250 Fine If Caught In The Act

by Jay Dow
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) ― New Jersey lawmakers are looking to beef up driving laws by catching up with modern technology. In an effort to make the roads safer, officials hope to make text messaging while driving illegal.

A recent study showed that at least 19 percent of drivers have sent a text message while driving.

It seems more common with younger drivers, but teenagers and veterans alike admit they're guilty of "DWT" or "driving while texting." The idea is receiving mixed reaction from motorists.

"I have no problems. I haven't crashed yet," Jennsey Pino of Garfield told CBS 2.

Neither has Hackensack motorist Ashley Redmond, who admits she's gotten in some near-fender benders while texting. "That's a really good idea ... because I'll be almost ready to hit somebody," she said.

The texting ban bill calls for a maximum $250, and it would be a "primary offense," meaning you could be stopped just for texting. AAA says it's ironic that the bill is tougher than New Jersey's current cell phone ban. The state is just one of four that bans the use of handheld cell phone while driving, but police can only ticket motorists for the offense when they've been pulled over for a different traffic violation.

"Either we enforce the careless driving laws that already exist, because to me if you're texting while you're driving you're being careless," AAA spokesperson Michelle Mount said. "You're not doing the task at hand, which is driving. You need to come up with a comprehensive distractive driving ban."

Of course, technology could render this debate a non-issue in a few years.

"They should have technology with text messaging so you press a button, say something on the phone and it automates and goes on your screen," Paterson motorist Glenn Hansen said.

Connecticut, Arizona, and Washington are also considering similar legislation that would ban text messaging while driving.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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