AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers tentatively approved a statewide ban against texting while driving, saying the practice is a hazard more dangerous than drunken driving.
The legislation would ban text, electronic and instant messaging by a motorist while driving. It would not apply when a driver is stopped at a traffic light or stop sign. Violations could lead to a Class C misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $200.
"The key to this is, a lot of people are being killed because of texting," said Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, author of HB 243. "It's a function of safety and saving people's lives. That's what it's all about."
His bill won preliminary approval, 124-16. Lawmakers who opposed the measure cited privacy and civil liberty concerns.
The House must take one more vote on Friday, and the Senate also must approve the legislation before the statewide ban on texting while driving takes effect on Sept. 1, 2011.
Craddick, a former House speaker, acknowledged that some critics fear that a ban against texting and driving could erode their rights.
But Craddick countered, "Driving is not a right. Driving is a responsibility and a privilege."
Citing research, Craddick said texting while driving is 20 times more dangerous than drunken driving.
Some Texas communities, including San Antonio, already have local ordinances banning the practice. A total of 30 states also have such bans.
The proposed statewide ban against texting is similar to San Antonio's ordinance. However, the statewide measure would allow motorists to read text messages and to send messages while stopped at traffic lights or stop signs - something the San Antonio ordinance prohibits.
Rep. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, has pushed a statewide ban on texting while driving for several legislative sessions.
"It's important that the state have a (uniform) standard - just like standard seatbelt laws," Menendez said. "It also makes the state, as a whole, safer."
A texting-while-driving ban also will play an important role in driver education and training for teenage drivers, he said.
"That's the key, because they're the ones who are texting more than anybody," Menendez said.
He and Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, co-sponsored the bill.
Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, cast the only dissenting vote among Bexar County members.
"Basically, I like to see government stay out of people's lives," Larson said. "It's also an issue of enforcement. I don't see how they can adequately enforce that."
Larson also noted that drivers engage in many other types of distractions, such as eating food or applying makeup.
"I don't think we should allow the government to get into our lives to that degree," he said.
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