Published: January 13, 2009 11:08 pm         

Official seeks input on possible texting-while-driving ordinance

TERRE HAUTE — A Vigo County commissioner is seeking legal input on a possible county ordinance to keep drivers 18 and under from sending text messages on cellular phones while operating a motor vehicle in the county.

“There is a concern, I think even nationwide, and I have noticed it several times just driving down the street and seeing young kids on the cell phone and texting messages at the same time while driving,” said Commissioner Paul Mason.

Mason has asked County Attorney Robert Wright to research and draft a county ordinance.

“I asked in doughnut shops and local restaurants if people see the same problem and they said yes. Perhaps we should not target an age group and maybe it is should be something for drivers of any age,” Mason said Tuesday.

“I think we need more public input before enacting anything. We plan to start a survey from anyone calling into our office for community input,” he said.

The telephone number of the Vigo County Board of Commissioners is (812) 462-3367.

Monroe County Commissioners in December passed an ordinance banning text-messaging for all drivers. The ordinance, effective Jan. 1, fines drivers $25 for text-messaging while operating a motor vehicle. The ordinance does not apply to drivers making a cell phone call or using a hands-free device to talk on a cell phone. The city of Bloomington is in Monroe County.

The city of Kenosha, Wis., in November passed an ordinance with a much higher penalty. That ordinance prohibits drivers from reading, writing or sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle in that city. The fine is $150, but it jumps to $500 if the violation leads to an accident.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety said 14 percent of drivers admitted to text-messaging while driving, with 3 percent of drivers reporting regularly texting while driving, according to a 2008 traffic safety culture index. The study is from a telephone survey, both land line and cell phones, of 2,509 adults ages 18 and over from Oct. 25, 2007 to Jan. 10, 2008.

Washington and New Jersey are the only states that ban text-messaging for all drivers. Five states — New York, New Jersey, Washington, Connecticut and California — prohibit driving while talking on hand-held cell phones, requiring the use of hands-free devices. No state completely bans all types of cell phone use, either hand-held or hands-free, while driving.

Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com