Nebraska latest state to sign texting while driving ban
The list of states prohibiting drivers from exchanging text messages keeps growing. On April 13, Gov. Dave Heineman signed a bill that will make texting while driving illegal in Nebraska.
It wasn’t that easy, though. A few years ago, the Governor had vetoed a bill looking to ban teenagers holding provisional licenses, learner’s permits or school permits from texting or talking on cell phones while driving.
The new bill to ban all drivers from sending and receiving text messages or e-mails in a moving vehicle had passed in a 38-2 vote, but a few sacrifices had to be made. The original version would have made texting while driving a primary offense. Strong opposition reduced the proposition to make texting while driving a secondary offense, meaning drivers would have to be stopped for another traffic violation before getting fined for their texting habit. Even with this change, no one knew how Gov. Heineman would react this time around. Fortunately for Sen. John Harms, the bill sponsor’s, the governor chose this time to agree with the bill.
“This was a difficult issue because of my deeply held belief in personal responsibility,” Heineman said in a statement. “It’s common sense to know that texting while driving endangers the driver, their passengers and others on our roads.”
A first time offense would result in a $200 fine, a second offense a$300 and $500 for a third or subsequent offense. Each violation would also add three points to a driver’s file, and drivers with more than 12 points in Nebraska lose their license.
Enforcement of the new law will begin in July, 2010.
Source: Journal Star, April 13, 2010; Omaha World-Herald, April 9, 2010
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