House Approves Ban on Texting

Some legislators who once resisted the banning flipped sides

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Apr 10, 2012 at 6:41 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Apr 10, 2012 at 6:52 PM AKDT

JUNEAU – Today the House of Representatives approved a ban on texting while driving.

The legislature thought it had dealt with this issue already, but a judge ruled that the existing statute was not explicit enough.

"A Car and Driver study says your reaction time while texting or reading a text is much longer than your reaction time even if you're drunk,” said Representative Les Gara (D-Anchorage). “While texting or reading a text you're slower in reacting to people who you might kill than when you're drunk."

Every legislator who addressed the subject agreed that texting while driving is wrong, but some questioned whether it should be an automatic misdemeanor to read or write a text while a vehicle is in motion.

"You know, what's worse?” asked Representative Tammie Wilson (R-North Pole). “Eating in the car? Playing with the radio? Again, it is about common sense. I think everybody here knows texting is wrong and they should not be doing it as they drive down. Talking on the phone, being distracted in any fashion, is wrong. But where do we stop and where do we start?"

Other legislators who once resisted the banning flipped sides.

"I'm going to support this legislation, but I want to remind the folks that we can't continue to pass laws on technology that we can't keep up with,” said Representative Charisse Millett (R-Anchorage). “And not only our statutes can't keep up with it, but the police can't keep up with it. Law enforcement can't keep up with it."

"If I were making this decision on my own personal sense of freedom and righteousness, I would vote against this bill,” said Representative Mike Hawker (R-Anchorage). “But in representing my constituents I will be supporting this bill because that's something I’ve discovered. The vast majority of people I represent want this sort of legislation on our books."

With a vote of 34 to 5, the house sent that message to Alaska drivers. The bill will now go to the senate.
 

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NewAK said on Thursday, Apr 12 at 10:41 AM

This is absolutely ridiculous. What's next, no drive through, no changing the radio? Give me a break!

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Apr 11 at 11:38 AM

Two years ago I was t-boned by a car whose driver was still talking on his cell when he got out. I had crossed Minnesota on Benson. I was already almost passed the last of the four lanes when the car smashed into my truck. I had my daughter and grandson with me. We did not get hurt, but his car was totaled. His insurance paid for the repair which could have been avoided. Real inconvenience for us. Good thing no one was injured.

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Midgardian said on Tuesday, Apr 10 at 7:51 PM

It might not help much, cooljulie. But as the saying goes, every little bit helps. If this stops just one person from causing an accident due to texting & driving, then it's done its job.

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cooljulie said on Tuesday, Apr 10 at 7:20 PM

Hopefully the senate is a little bit smarter. You can't legislate 'stupid'. Do the 'vast majority' of people want this on the books? I'm not so sure. More and more petty laws, less and less common sense. Ah well, more dollars for the donut fund eh?

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