Driving While Texting Illegal?

Talking on your cell phone or texting can distract you while driving. But many people still do ...  More »

Talking on your cell phone or texting can distract you while driving. But many people still do it. Today andamp;lt;a href=andamp;quot;http://www.kxnet.com/t/north-dakotaandamp;quot; class=andamp;quot;kxInlineLinkandamp;quot;andamp;gt;North Dakotaandamp;lt;/aandamp;gt; legislators take a look at the unsafe trend and a bill that would make it illegal to text while driving. andamp;lt;a href=andamp;quot;http://www.kxnet.com/t/donnell-preskeyandamp;quot; class=andamp;quot;kxInlineLinkandamp;quot;andamp;gt;Donnell Preskeyandamp;lt;/aandamp;gt; has more. andamp;amp;lt; So much for having both hands on the wheel... Many drivers are more interested in looking at their latest text message than seeing what's ahead... (Klemin) andamp;quot;looking down... going 70 mph... that time...andamp;quot; It's the latest traffic safety concern... Seven states and DC have banned texting while driving... (Klemin) driving with knees how can text with... Recent studies show that between 20 and 30 percent of all drivers text. But one poll says 66% of 18-24 years drive while messaging friends... It's something legislators who testify in support of the bill admit to committee members say they've done it... and even our own insurance commissioner confesses to texting behind the wheel... (Hamm) I have texted whild driving and it's a distraction far different...andamp;quot; (Donnell Preskey) andamp;quot;This bill targets texting... But committee members question why not also include GPS systems, IPods, or other devices.andamp;quot; (Hamm) andamp;quot;Rises to level worth having governement step in to regulate this.andamp;quot; The bill also covers, using your blackberry to email, and surfing the internet with your lap top. If the bill passes the penalty for driving while texting...is $100 fine plus points and for your third violation you loose your license for a year... North Dakota doesn't track accidents linked to texting or even talking on a cell phone. However the DOT says there are plans to change that.  « Less