BOISE, ID – Idaho Senators want to make it illegal for people to drive and text at the same time. They approved a bill Tuesday that would do just that, although it would not apply to voice-operated or hands free devices. Republican Senator Joyce Broadsword admitted that she’s driven and sent text messages at the same time:
Joyce Broadsword “I found myself weaving and not being in my lane of traffic, and I’m thinking, oh my gosh, I am so stupid, I have got to stop this right now and I throw the phone down. We need to be sure that we are protecting Idaho citizens from their own stupidity, and I’m sorry, that’s the way I feel about it.”
Republican Senator Patti Anne Lodge also voted for the bill.
Patti Anne Lodge “For our young people, reaching for a smart phone is second nature, with the exuberance of youth, they don’t understand the dangers of driving while texting or checking out their Facebook friends.”
Police, fire or emergency medical drivers would be exempt. The legislation now heads to the House for consideration. The Idaho Legislature has tried for three years to ban texting while driving.
Copyright 2012 BSPR