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Senate approves ban on texting while driving

6:24 pm March 18, 2010, by Ernie Suggs

The green band that wraps around Katherine Key’s cellphone is not for show.

For the Morgan County High School junior, it is a reminder: Don’t send text messages while driving.

In December, her friend and classmate Caleb Sorohan was killed in a traffic accident that occurred while he was texting.

On Thursday, Sorohan’s mother, sister and classmates — most wearing a tag with a photo of Caleb on it — watched the Georgia Senate pass a bill that would make texting while driving illegal and impose a $150 fine.

For teenagers, the bill would bar them from getting their Class C License on a second offense.

“I think the teenagers are starting to get it more than the adults,” said Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming), who sponsored the bill. “Under this bill, it will now be against the law to text in Georgia while you are driving. The point of this bill is not punitive, it sends a message.”

Murphy’s bill is one of several that have been floating around the Legislature this session. With this traction — the bill passed unanimously amid loud applause — it now goes to the House.

Mandi Sorohan and her daughter, Alex, said they will return to Atlanta to watch the bill go through the House.

Alex Sorohan, 15, said her brother’s death has opened the eyes of her classmates in Morgan County — including many who routinely texted while driving.

Since her brother’s death, she said that more than 700 students in her high school have signed a pledge not to text while driving.

“This helps teens know that it is dangerous,” said Alex Sorohan, who organized a rally for her brother.

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15 comments Add your comment

shaggy

March 19th, 2010
7:30 am

What? You mean young morons will have to speak actual words to someone? This is dispicable and can’t be tolerated. Everyone knows this demographic’s vocabulary is limited to saying, like, whatever, and dog. They are challenged.

K-Ster

March 19th, 2010
8:10 am

But recent studies have shown that traffic safety rates haven’t been improved in states with these laws. Is this just an income opportunity for the state? Or is this a “vote for me again because I’m a caring politician” bill? The frequency of injuries/deaths due to texting while driving might be minimal currently, so how will this save the one-in-a-few cases? There are many other things we can ban drivers from doing…what next?

Jaye

March 19th, 2010
8:12 am

Finally, our Ga. lawmakers are doing something positive AND helpful for its citizens.
Oh … what about that ethics legislation?

Dee the Student

March 19th, 2010
9:09 am

I’ve been in the car with my cousin when she almost hit another car because she was texting when the car in front of us made a quick stop. I was almost hit by another student who was so intent on texting that she wasn’t paying attention to traffic and hadn’t realized the light had changed. If a law against texting and driving can save the life of one of my relatives, friends or classmates then I’m all for it.

Susan

March 19th, 2010
9:32 am

Last summer I was hit from behind while STOPPED at a light on Peachtree Road. The car that hit me was travelling full speed at about 50 mph because the driver, a young college student, was looking down at his phone, no doubt either reading or typing a text. His car was totalled. If I hadn’t been driving an SUV, both my 12 year old daughter, who was a passenger in the car, and I would have been severely injured. As it was we were shaken and the car damaged. After that, I need no law to keep me from texting OR talking while driving, but unfortunately, others do.

Yellow

March 19th, 2010
10:29 am

Seems like everyone has a sappy story about how they almost got in a wreck from someone texting (or perceived as texting). Well, I’ve been hit by someone “beating the yellow light” and it bent my car in half. So, let’s ban lights, I guess. I’ve also been hit by someone who thought I had kept going (they rear-ended me lightly enough to where I didn’t need to call insurance… I’m a nice person). So, let’s ban drivers from thinking. I WANT THIS BILL TO SHOW ME HOW IT CAN STOP DISTRACTED DRIVERS. ‘Tis rubbish…

FMX

March 19th, 2010
10:48 am

Why stop at texting. They should ban phone usage totally why you are driving. I got rear ended by an illegal while she was talking on her cell phone. The state always does something half assed. Who is dumb enough to text while they are driving any way you are just asking for trouble!!!

Tigger

March 19th, 2010
11:46 am

Does this ban apply to law enforcement officers too? It should.

shaggy

March 19th, 2010
12:49 pm

This is insane. Now, young morons will have to speak actual words, and wait until they are not behind the wheel to say really smart stuff: “like, totally awesome dog. And she was like, whatever and I am like, totally gnarly, homeboy, you be down wit it, huh dog?”
Now, we will risk the chance of hearing this inane jabber and many will go crazy, tearing the flesh off of their ears to make it stop.

Katie

March 19th, 2010
1:13 pm

Texting and driving is dumb. You shouldn’t do it. But this is not something that should be solved at the legislative level. How about parents taking responsibility and talking to their kids about this? How about not getting your kid a phone if they insist on texting an driving? People who cause accidents should be punished if they are driving recklessly. But to preemptively enact a law on people who should be acting responsibly just begins the process of turning Georgia into yet another nanny state.

Senate approves ban on texting while driving | Gold Dome Live | Georgia Today

March 19th, 2010
3:13 pm

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Ashumeet Singh

March 19th, 2010
3:19 pm

Thankfully softwares like DriveSafe.ly are coming in the market for just the purpose of not having to text while driving.
They’re highly effective and people are waking up to this innovative and safe way of staying connected while on the move.

mr. flintstone

March 19th, 2010
3:36 pm

And now . . . about applying make-up while driving . . .

Ace

March 19th, 2010
3:56 pm

Cell phones should not be used while driving. Proven as bad as a drunk driver. Where’s the balls?

Helari

March 24th, 2010
2:39 pm

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