Governor Signs Bill Prohibiting Texting While Driving
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: May 8, 2012
Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday signed into law House Bill 2, a measure that prohibits texting while driving.
"Signing
this bill sends a message that drivers need to focus on driving - not
on sending a text," Governor Bentley said. "There is nothing so urgent
that it is worth
risking your life, or the lives of others, by sending a text message
while you are driving down the road."
According
to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
texting while driving creates a crash risk that is 23 times greater
than when a driver
is not distracted. Also,
sending or receiving a text message takes a driver's eyes from the road
for an average of 4.6 seconds. For a driver going 55 miles-per-hour,
that's the equivalent of driving
the entire length of a football field.
Alabama's
new law prohibits using a wireless device to write, send, or read a
text message, instant message or e-mail
while operating a motor vehicle. The fine for violating the law is $25
for a first-time offense, $50 for a second offense and $75 for a third
or subsequent offense. Also, for each offense, a two-point violation
would be placed on the offender's driving record.
Representative Jim McClendon was the House sponsor of the legislation.
"After
six years of attempting to get this bill through, persistence has
finally paid off," Representative McClendon said. "It took four years
for this bill to pass
the House, two years for it to pass the Senate, and today, I'm delighted
that Governor Bentley is signing this bill into law. Our highways will
be safer with the passage of this law."
Senator Jabo Waggoner was the Senate sponsor of the legislation.
"I
am proud to have assisted in passing this important bill that I believe
will help save lives on Alabama's roadways," Senator Waggoner said.
"Signing this bill sends
a message to drivers that texting while operating a vehicle is harmful
and, thanks to the Legislature and Governor Bentley, finally prohibited
in Alabama."
The law goes into effect on August 1, 2012.
