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Study: Texting While Driving Unsafe by Any Means

Enlarge graphic by: T. Wiseman / M. Babcock / G. Gaffney / S. Kloo / J. Weaver

In the midst of a battle among lawmakers over a bill to ban texting while driving, a new report by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute suggests that voice-to-text technology is no safer than typing out a text message. Voice to text would remain legal if the legislation passes.

Demonstration car placed by the Brown family to raise awareness on dangers of texting while driving. March 9th, 2011
Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Demonstration car placed by the Brown family to raise awareness on dangers of texting while driving. March 9th, 2011

House Passes Texting-While-Driving Measure

  • by Chris Hooks and Maurice Chammah
  • 67 Comments

UPDATED: A bill that would make texting while driving a crime passed the House on Wednesday after a lengthy debate. The measure now heads to the Senate.

Although Texas is one of 11 states without a state-wide ban on texting and driving, cell phone use while driving is illegal for those under 18 and in school zones.
Enlarge photo by: Tamir Kalifa
Although Texas is one of 11 states without a state-wide ban on texting and driving, cell phone use while driving is illegal for those under 18 and in school zones.

Lawmakers Debate Texting-While-Driving Ban

Lawmakers on Tuesday took their first crack at a bill designed to ban texting while driving, including reviewing statistics suggesting that bans in other states have not reduced accidents and are difficult to enforce.

 

Jeanne Brown, whose daughter Alex Brown died in a 2009 accident while texting and driving, spoke Jan. 29, 2013, in support of a bill making texting and driving illegal. Texas is one of 11 states without a state-wide ban on texting while driving, though multiple cities have passed ordinances making it illegal.
Enlarge photo by: Tamir Kalifa
Jeanne Brown, whose daughter Alex Brown died in a 2009 accident while texting and driving, spoke Jan. 29, 2013, in support of a bill making texting and driving illegal. Texas is one of 11 states without a state-wide ban on texting while driving, though multiple cities have passed ordinances making it illegal.

Lawmakers Renew Push to Ban Texting While Driving

At a briefing Tuesday, lawmakers and relatives of people killed while texting and driving renewed a push to make the practice illegal. A proposal passed during the last session but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry.