Some Question Proposed Texting and Driving Ban Exception

Texting and driving causes over one-million accidents a year, so one state lawmaker wants to make it illegal once and for all in Oklahoma. However, there would be one exception.... one exception that has some fighting against it.

"If we had never done anything about drinking and driving, would our roads be safe today?" asks Representative Curtis McDaniel, of District 1. He wants to outlaw texting and driving in the state, with a penalty of up to 500-dollars. But, some think his proposed bill is unnecessary.

"There are already laws on the books that prevent careless driving, reckless driving, inattentive driving," says David Slane, Fox 25 Legal Analyst. Slane says police officers can already pull you over for texting and driving. He says this bill will just put a strain on an already burdened police department. "We're going to have a whole new class of policemen," says Slane. "I guess we're going to have the texting police. Here in Oklahoma City, they're already calling for 200 more officers because they don't have enough."

But, Rep. McDaniel says that's a small price to pay. "Nationwide, there are elven teenagers killed every day caused by texting and driving," he says.

But, there is one exception to this proposed bill. Texting and driving would be illegal, except for emergency personnel. "I'm talking doctors, firefighters, those folks. If they need that, if it's an emergency, then sure, that should be overlooked," says Rep. McDaniel.

Slane disagrees. "There should be no exception. If it's that dangerous, then we prohibit it all together," says Slane.

Rep. McDaniel says Slane's argument does have merit, but he says emergency personnel would only be allowed to text during an emergency.

"I've never seen a policeman be stopped by another policeman, so I don't think they're going to enforce that law," counters Slane. He says emergency personnel are the ones driving the fastest, and should be the most focused. Rep. McDaniel says if the legislature chooses to take the exception out, he wouldn't mind, as long as a ban on texting and driving is on the books.

"If we save just one kid, just one life with this measure, then it's been worth it," says Rep. McDaniel.Some Question Proposed Texting and Driving Ban Exception

Posted: Saturday, February 9 2013, 11:02 PM CST