Texas texting and driving bill advances

Published On: Mar 05 2013 05:57:24 PM CST
AUSTIN, Texas -

The Texas House Transportation has voted 6-1 to advance a bill that would prohibit texting behind the wheel.

The measure now moves to the full House for consideration. Texas has already banned any use of mobile devices by drivers under age 18.

Texting while driving is illegal in 39 states. Local ordinances ban the practice in some cities, including Austin, El Paso and San Antonio.

The new measure would extend the ban to all drivers statewide. Rep. Tom Craddick is calling it "the bipartisan bill of the session."

But Gov. Rick Perry vetoed a similar proposal in 2011. His views have not changed. He calls the idea "government micromanagement."

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