TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Texting while driving would be banned in Kansas
under a new proposal that's circulating among legislators.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee has agreed to sponsor a bill
enacting a ban. The measure would be debated after legislators
convene their 2010 session on Jan. 11.
Committee Chairman Jay Emler says his interest in a ban was inspired
by being stuck behind a driver who was texting while driving on the
highway. He says the state needs to have the discussion.
Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, says the bill would include possible
jail time for someone caught driving while texting.
More than 20 states have banned texting while driving, and studies
have shown that drivers are more likely to contribute to an accident
when texting and driving.
