According to the Texas Department of Transportation “One in five crashes involves drivers being distracted.” The state of Texas does not have a statewide law banning the use of cell phones while driving. In fact, Texas is only one of four states without an all-drivers ban for texting and driving, according to the National Conference of State Legislature.

However, many local areas within the state of Texas  prohibit to even limiting the use of cell phones while driving.

Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images
Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images
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According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texas Senate Affairs Committee they voted to push a revised version of HB 62 to the full Senate on yesterday. The Committee members talked about the bill on Monday, but didn’t get enough Senators to move the bill along.

The bill was an altered version of one passed by the Texas House, by rep. Tom Craddick R - Midland. Senator Judith Zaffirini D - Laredo, was not able to get her own bill passed, but is hoping Craddick’s bill wins.

State Senator Joan Huffman R-Houston says via the Chron:

The time has come for the State of Texas to pass this legislation.

The revised bill says that police must see the person texting or provide other evidence in order to issue a citation.  Now, getting this to the Senate floor isn’t guaranteed.  Zaffirini said she has 21 votes for the bill to pass, but it’s up to the Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to place it on the intent calendar by the end of the month.

I am really surprised that the state of Texas does not have a statewide law banning texting while driving.  Considering the horrible accident in Uvalde County where a driver who was allegedly texting behind the wheel crashed into a church bus, killing 13 individuals.  I really hope this bill passes to crack down on irresponsible drivers.

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