11/12/09

Drivers have all kinds of distractions these days, from loud music to screaming kids in the back seat. The city of Twin Falls wants to keep drivers safe from some of the latest technology.

No doubt you remember your driver's ed teacher saying, 'keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.'

That's why a Twin Falls city councilman is suggesting a new ordinance which would ban reading, writing, and sending text messages while you're driving inside the Twin Falls city limits.

Councilman Greg Lanting says, “The same as impaired driving as with alcohol because your attention is taken away from what you're trying to do, trying to safely drive. And so that was my reason for proposing this.

While many cell phones have headsets that allow you to talk with your hands free, texting while you're driving requires at least one free hand and distracts your attention from the traffic around you.

If the no texting ordinance goes into effect, you could get a $50 fine for trying to text and drive at the same time.

TFPD Staff Sgt. Dennis Pullin says, “Well, I think we can make it work. It's something that the officer would have to observe, see somebody using their cell phone while trying to text on it. So if we witness that, it's probably something we can try to take care of.”

City Councilman Don Hall says that cities like Twin Falls can make ordinances that are more restrictive than state laws, but not more liberal.

Idaho State Police Lieutenant Rob Storm says there's more support for passing a state law related to texting, than there was a year ago.

“I believe it also sends a message to the legislature, if cities are starting to take the lead on these, that they would go ahead and pass it statewide,” said Storm.