USA Today's Money section did a drive-by today on nationwide legislative activity concerning cell phones and driving. The story doesn't even mention text messaging, which is the driving force behind most 2009 wireless communications legislation affecting motorists. In the wake of the L.A. commuter crash, legislatures have rushed to address texting while driving this year. Proposed bans against use of cell phones without hands-free devices are mostly being ignored or defeated, or watered down just to prohibit texting. Put simply, this is shaping up as a rotten year for those who'd like to … [Read more...]

Good debate on the dangers of texting while driving in the comments section of this Indiana newspaper's report (update: no longer online). Sadly, it was inspired by a young woman's death (in August 2009). Legislation that would ban texting by drivers under 18 is advancing in Indiana's Legislature. Some of the commenters note that this would not have helped the 21-year-old driver, Brittiany R. Phillips, who had been sending and receiving text messages in the moments before the fatal crash. (She also had not been wearing a seat belt.) It's quite possible, however, that under a similar law the … [Read more...]

Cleveland looks ready to ban text messaging for city drivers. The plan, aired in a safety committee this week, now has the endorsement of Mayor Frank Jackson's administration. Ohio's legislators appear to have no interest in the issues of text messaging and cell phone gabbing while driving. Lawmakers in almost every other state in the nation are debating possible bans on the activities. Right in line with the dozing state reps is Cleveland Councilman Michael Polensek (pictured), the Plain Dealer reported: "I would be happy if the hoodlums were texting each other rather than robbing people … [Read more...]