Mississippi Lawmakers Consider Texting Ban for Teens Behind the Wheel

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By SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 4/7/2009

Mississippi could join the ranks of those states that ban text messaging by teens while driving.

If approved, the law would prohibit 15- and 16-year-old teenagers with intermediate licenses, and temporary learning and driving permits, from text messaging while behind the wheel.

The bill, which has bipartisan support, is being led by State Senate Pro Tempore Billy Hewes (R-Gulfport) and includes Senators Tom King (R-Petal), Sampson Jackson II (D-DeKalb), and Lee Yancey (R-Brandon)—as well as the backing of wireless carrier Cellular South and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

Those who violate the texting ban could be fined up to $500 for each infraction and up to $1,000 if the driver is involved in an accident while texting on a cell phone. Nine states already ban teens from texting while driving, and another seven states have a text messaging ban for all drivers.

"This legislation is a good first step," Hewes said in urging passage of the bill. “This language protects motorists, while at the same time recognizing the benefits of cellular innovation. We, as parents, enjoy a greater level of comfort knowing our children can call if they have a flat, an accident, or any other emergency. At the same time, good defensive driving requires the full attention of the driver."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mississippi has taken the lead over the last decade in the number of teenage driving fatalities with a rate of 35 deaths per 100,000 people.

"Texting while driving is just too dangerous for anyone at any age," Hewes added, noting that many of Mississippi's rural roads have higher speed limits, less traffic, and fewer nearby medical services.

While some wireless carriers are opposed to any restrictions on cell phone use while driving, Cellular South strongly supports the legislation and a ban on text messaging by all drivers, says Terrell Knight, director of government accounts for the Mississippi-based wireless communications provider.

Knight said texting while driving is one of many well-known and proven potential driving distractions, including drowsiness, personal grooming, eating, and reading. "We believe that safe, sensible, and limited use of a cell phone when you're behind the wheel is possible,” says Knight, the father of two teenagers. “There are certainly inappropriate times to make or take a call and your number one priority is always operating the vehicle safely."

If adopted, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety plans to enforce the texting while driving prohibition as a primary law. "This prohibition on texting by teenagers while driving can and will save lives," said Commissioner Steve Simpson. "There are hands-free options for the appropriate use of a cell phone in a car. While this is not comprehensive legislation, it stands to correct or curb what has become a dangerous habit among our next generation of drivers."