Gov. Perry Against Texting-While-Driving Ban
By: Statesman.com
Updated: February 27, 2013
American-Statesman Staff
Just hours after a tear-laden House committee hearing Tuesday on a proposed texting-while-driving ban, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry said that Perry continues to see education rather than regulation as the solution for the increasingly widespread but dangerous practice.
The reaction from Perry aide Lucy Nashed would seem to bode ill for state Rep. Tom Craddick's second attempt to push through a law barring adult drivers from texting or emailing while driving a moving vehicle. Perry vetoed a similar bill by the Midland Republican and former House speaker in 2011, calling it a "government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults."
"Gov. Perry continues to believe texting while driving is reckless and irresponsible, and as he noted last session, current law already prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from texting or using a cell phone while driving," Nashed told the American-Statesman in an email. "The key to dissuading drivers from texting while driving is information and education, not government micromanagement."
"It's awareness," Craddick said. "People will do what they're asked to do, the vast majority of them."
The legislation, House Bill 63, would impose a fine of up to $100 for anyone caught reading, writing or sending a "text-based communication" on a hand-held device while driving. That would include other portable electronic equipment, such as notebooks and tablets. Doing any of the above while the car is stopped wouldn't be a violation.
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