HILLIARD, Ohio -- The city of Hilliard has proposed a texting-while-driving ban, following in the footsteps of Bexley and Pickerington.
NBC 4 Photojournalist Steve Wainfor reported with the FAST FACTS.
House Bill 415, the statewide proposal banning texting, has seen some delays.
Some Hilliard residents said they would like to see something done now.
"I think it is long overdue. I totally agree with a ban on texting," one resident said.
"I don't believe that people should be out causing havoc on the road," another said.
Hilliard is in the process of developing its own law, but officials wanted to add something new to the approach.
"We are looking at a two-prong approach: No. 1 is the law-enforcement aspect, which will obviously involve an ordinance. And the second one is an education and awareness program," said Jim Ashenhurst, chairman of city council's public safety and legal affairs committee
Bexley's ban has been in effect for a year -- with no citations issued.
That's why Ashenhurst said he thinks education and awareness are more effective tools in fighting texting.
"An awareness to this issue, I think, is a good thing," Ashenhurst said.
Hilliard City School Board of Education President Andy Teater agreed and said education should start at an early age.
"Educating our kids is something I am very interested in. I would like to see us explore that, maybe even with a joint effort with the city," Teater said.
Teater said he feels Hilliard is headed in the right direction on developing a ban because awareness alone is not enough.
"It's kind of hard on the education end to tell people it is unsafe, tell people not to do it -- if it is still a legal activity for people to do," Teater said.
State lawmakers have two bills involving banning texting while driving.
NBC 4 spoke with Representative Nancy Garland who said her bill still is in committee and should be heading to the floor for debate by the end of this month.
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
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