Indiana Senate narrowly OKs ban on texting while driving

A proposal making it illegal for drivers to send or read text messages narrowly cleared the Indiana Senate on Friday after several senators argued that the ban wouldn't be enforceable.

The Senate voted 26-24 in favor of the bill, a day after the House approved it by an 83-10 margin. The Senate action sends the measure to Gov. Mitch Daniels for consideration.

The Senate version was a compromise with the House that removed a provision that also would have banned making cell phone calls while driving except in emergencies.

Sen. Mike Young, R-Indianapolis, was among those who argued that police officers wouldn't be able to tell whether a driver was texting or making a phone call or on the Internet, which would be allowed under the proposal.

"This bill is worthless," Young said. "If I can do all these things, why am I only distracted when I text?"

Supporters maintained that the ban would increase awareness about the danger of distracted driving and save lives, comparing it to the law requiring seat-belt use.

"It is important to remind people that texting is a very big factor in accidents," said Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville.

Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, said studies in states with similar texting bans have found texting by drivers dropping 60 percent from before such laws were adopted.

Violators would face a maximum fine of $500 under the bill. It would extend the state's current texting ban for drivers younger than 18, who also are prohibited from all cell phone use.

Indiana State Police records show that more than 1,100 crashes last year involved cell phone use as a contributing factor, with at least four crashes resulting in death.