Lawmakers Discuss Dangers of Texting While Driving

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Lawmakers spent Thursday discussing texting and cell phone use while driving during an interim study at the State Capitol.

A number of people, including Jennifer Smith, shared their personal stories of just how dangerous it is to drive while texting or talking on the phone.

Smith's mother, Linda Doyle, was hit and killed by a driver on a cell phone just last year.

"Put yourself, your mother, your wife, your husband, your child in that seat and you tell me if that cell phone call is really worth it," Smith said.

Smith said she hopes to encourage lawmakers to restrict cell phone use, especially texting, while driving.

Some lawmakers realize it's a problem and have tried for years with no luck to get cell phone bills heard in committee, but Thursday's interim study was the first step toward crafting legislation to ban text messaging.

During the study, one lawmaker even admitted to nearly doing the thing she's trying to stop.

"I was driving along and my phone told me I had a text message, and I picked up my phone and was tempted to read it and it shocked me," said Rep. Sue Tibbs, (R) DISTRICT 23.

Lawmakers said they are not sure if they'll try to ban texting just for teens or for all drivers. Right now, 18 states and Washington D.C. forbid texting while driving.

"Getting behind the wheel of that car is the most dangerous thing you'll do all day and by far the most dangerous activity behind the wheel is texting," said Chuck Mai, AAA spokesperson.

AAA has already pledged to encourage legislatures in all states to ban texting while driving, and speakers at the study, including Smith, encouraged Oklahoma lawmakers to act, and act now.

"Without these laws to protect us, it is no longer a matter of if this will happen to someone you love, it's a question of when," Smith said.

Lawmakers will now use the information from Thursday's interim study to put a bill together for next session.