INDIANAPOLIS – A prohibition against texting while driving cleared another legislative hurdle Tuesday but not before lawmakers raised some tough questions about the effectiveness of the proposed law.
“The thing that bothers me is if we’re going to do it, it ought to be a total ban,” said Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford.
He and several others heavily criticized House Bill 1129, but it passed the Senate Corrections Committee by 7-2 vote. At least one member said he will likely try to broaden the bill to a complete cell phone ban.
Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, said there is not enough support in the Senate to pass a complete ban. Texting while driving is already illegal for people younger than 18.
The House bill would make it an infraction for all Hoosier drivers to write, send or read texts or e-mails while operating a moving vehicle.
There is no prohibition for surfing the Internet, making calls or other activity. It passed the House 85-11.
It is similar to Senate Bill 18, which passed that chamber 29-21. The Senate legislation is languishing in the House during the Democratic walkout.
Steele and others were concerned the bill is unenforceable because police won’t be able to tell whether a person is texting or dialing a phone number.
“I’m not convinced that hitting numbers is any better than hitting letters,” he said of the inattention that phones in general cause in a vehicle.
But supporters focused more on the message the law will send.
Robert Spolyar, lobbyist for State Farm Insurance, pointed to the increased usage of seat belts after they became mandatory.
“One thing you’re missing is a lot of people obey it just because it’s a law. That’s what we’re looking for,” he said. “If five things are wrong and you have a chance to fix one – fix it. Save lives.”
Diveeta Thompson of Fort Wayne begged lawmakers to pass the texting ban. Her 18-year-old son Rodney died in 2008 when he crashed into a utility pole while texting.
“Please do something so I can feel comfortable on the road,” she said.
House Bill 1129 now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
