Bill to punish text messaging while driving moving through Michigan legislature

State legislators are working on a measure that would allow police to ticket text-messaging drivers if they otherwise break the law while texting and driving.

Earlier this week, a bill passed the state House of Representatives 94 to 13. The state Senate’s transportation committee approved a similar package of bills, which is expected to be considered by the full Senate by the end of next week, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Texting while driving could become a secondary offense.

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If passed, the infraction would carry a fine for text messaging while driving, but would not add points to a driver’s record.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, at least 19 states, Washington D.C. and Guam ban text messaging for drivers. Nine states ban text messaging by novice drivers and six states, Washginton D.C., and the Virgin Islands prohibit cell phone use while driving altogether.

At a national summit on Distracted Driving held earlier this year, Secretary of Transportation Roy LaHood called distracted driving a “menace to society.”

University of Michigan transportation expert David Eby spoke at the summit and said texting disrupts safe driving performance for both novice and experienced drivers. The effects on crash risk have yet to be scientifically investigated, but are likely increased, he said in expanded remarks.

In Ann Arbor, two City Council members said in August that they planned to bring forward a resolution to effectively ban cell phone usage while driving. The entire council has not yet taken up the issue.

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Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.