Indiana Texting Bill Moves Forward For Consideration On Senate Floor

A new Indiana bill that would ban texting while driving for anyone behind the wheel has moved out of committee and on to the Senate floor after being approved by the house. Today, the Senate’s Public Policy Committee approved the bill with a vote of 5-2 and the issue is now being debated with the help of state safety advocates and other members of the public.

While some committee members agreed with the bill, which may prevent car accidents, some worried that the bill is too concerned with making texting illegal and not as concerned with other types of distracted driving that are equally as dangerous, such as consulting a map or eating. Police officers want the bill to also ban talking on cell phones that are not hands-free, as that law would be easier for them to enforce. Currently, texting while driving is only illegal for drivers under the age of 18.

Senate Bill 18 would go into effect on July 1, 2011, if it passes the Senate and signed by the governor.