Lawmakers Ban Texting While Driving

Mississippi Bill A bill headed to Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour would ban new teenage drivers from sending text messages from behind the wheel.

by The Associated Press

Published: Wed, March 25, 2009 - 10:48 am CST

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A bill headed to Mississippi Gov. Haley
Barbour would ban new teenage drivers from sending text messages
from behind the wheel.
Senators originally killed the final version of the bill
Tuesday, but they passed it when it came up for a second vote
Wednesday.
The bill says a new driver caught texting could face a
misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $500. If there's an accident
while someone is texting, the fine would be up to $1,000.
The bill also would add six months to the minimum age for
teenagers to get their driver's licenses. The intermediate license,
allowing some unsupervised driving, would become available at 16.
An unrestricted license could be obtained six months later.
----
The bill is Senate Bill 2280.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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KxVicious Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 1:38 pm

BamaBob, here are my favorite “get off the phone” tricks

Driving:
Honk until they hang up.
or
Call 208-7211 and tell the dispatcher they are driving recklessly.

Store/Bank/Out Shopping/Restaurant, etc:
Attempt to engage them in conversation (What kind of phone is that? How many minutes do you have?)
OR
Join in on the conversation & offer advice (“Oh no he didn’t, girl! I’d tell him…”)

FLOWERCHILD Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 1:10 pm

Why didn’t they ban all texting while driving? That would make sense. To target this age group in this way kinda set up that no one is going to be ticketed. What are they gonna do - see someone is texting and ask their age. Makes little sense to write the law this way.

BamaBob Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 12:41 pm

I think cell phones and texting should be banned just because it annoys me to see people with a cell phone stuck in their ear 24 hours a day!

Plus, the driving age should be set to 30!

ickthus Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 12:36 pm

there is a law on the books right now and they are not doing a thing about it. whats a new law going to do? it is just a feel good look what i am doing for you thing. your tax money not at work

westntiff Says:

Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 11:52 am

i think that is quite ridiculous to put a “new driver” speculation on the bill—i know PLENTY of older individuals who text while driving and they are just as dangerous!