State Senate Could Consider Texting Ban This Year
Oklahoma Senate committee OKs bills to limit cellphone use while driving
By Randy Ellis
Two bills to limit cellphone use while driving cleared the state Senate Public Safety Committee this past week.
Senate Bill 442 would make it illegal to compose, send or read a text message while driving, while Senate Bill 1601 would ban most cellphone use in Oklahoma school zones.
“Too many Oklahomans are tragically being killed or killing others because they are texting and driving,” said state Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, author of Senate Bill 442. “Studies have repeatedly shown that texting while driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving. We’ve outlawed drinking and driving. Now it’s time we put a stop to this dangerous behavior, as well, before more lives are senselessly lost.”
Sharp’s bill, after being amended in committee, would set a $30 upper limit to the fine and court costs that could be levied against a first offender and a $50 upper limit for subsequent violations.