Another try to ban texting and driving

The effort to ban text-messaging while driving has resumed at the Capitol. The Legislature hasn’t warmed to this common-sense idea, which has been tried several times in recent years.

Three Democrats are trying again. Reps. Curtis McDaniel of Smithville, Jeannie McDaniel of Tulsa and Jerry Shoemake of Morris are behind House Bill 1503, which made it out of a House committee this week. It bans texting while a vehicle is in motion, and exempts texts to emergency response operators, medical providers, firefighters and law enforcement.

This really shouldn’t be a partisan issue but has become one — Republicans view such a ban as government intrusion on individual rights. But driving a car isn’t a right, it’s a privilege, and texting while driving endangers not just the driver but other motorists.

It’s time Oklahoma join the many states that have made texting at the wheel illegal.

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Comments

there is a law on the books, enforce it

I am completely confused as to why republicans think everything is an intrusion on individual rights, UNTIL it comes to women’s rights to their own bodies.

Texting and driving is dangerous, period, end of story. And like the writer states, driving isn’t a right, it’s a privilege.

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