State Rep. supports texting while driving ban

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - This week is national teen safe driver week, and support for the wait to text campaign got even stronger. The state is pushing its own banning efforts.

Driving is a privilege and if you're not 100 percent focused, things can turn bad in a blink of an eye.

"Every day we're losing people on the highways from texting and driving," State Representative Jim Barton said. "We’ve got to do something."

Barton is passionate about the putting a stop to texting and driving. He attended a rally at McGill-Toolen High School along with Bob Grip and FOX10 News in support of the cause. He said it was a hard-hitting program that showed the link between accidents and texting and driving. He said it calls attention to the fact that texting drivers are more dangerous than those driving drunk.

"Just looking at the statistics and talking to the troopers that are on the road, it's a crisis, and it's an epidemic, and we've got real issues we need to address," Barton added.

He's addressing the issue by supporting a ban on texting behind the wheel.

Barton said, "We have some legislation pending that has already been pre-filed by Jim McClendon out of north Alabama. I'm a cosponsor on that bill. That will require you - if you use a cell phone in any shape or fashion in an automobile, or vehicle, rather - you will have to be hands free.”

The thumb bands support the initiative. They sport the wait to text logo and are an immediate reminder if you do go to reach for your phone.

"Any little gimmick that works," Barton said. "Of course, the apps that are out there that will allow you not to use the phone if it's moving. There are lots of things we can do to make it safer. At the end of the day, we're going to have to legislate the behavior of citizens when they're driving."

Although several municipalities have imposed a ban, Barton is looking for a statewide change. He feels positive about the support and believes the bill should pass.

"We want to save lives," Barton added.

Barton believes there is enough support to get the bill out of committee and said it should hit the House floor fairly early. The Legislature will be back in session in February.