ILLINOIS HOUSE MOVES TO BAN TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
The Illinois House voted 89-27 to approve a bill that would make it illegal to text message while driving. The bill now moves to the Senate. If the bill passes and is signed into law, it will become effective on July 1, 2009.
Rep. John D'Amico, D-Chicago, the legislation's sponsor, advocates to stop texting while driving because of the distraction it creates for drivers. He believes that when people text while driving, they are literally taking the lives of others into their hands. Opponents, however, point out that all sorts of things can distract drivers and that it doesn't make sense to single one of them out. Opponents are also concerned about how the potential law would be enforced.
I am surprised there are opponents to this legislation. New studies are reporting that texting while driving is almost as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. There is no question that texting while driving is rampant and incredibly dangerous. Drivers need to keep their eyes on the road, not on the phone. I hope that this legislation will sweep through the Senate with the same overwhelming support it received in the House. There is no argument that opponents can make that can outweigh the propriety and necessity for this legislation.
