Columbus Considers Texting While Driving Ban

Texting Ban Discussions (Added: March 08, 2010)

Columbus city leaders are discussing a possible ban on texting while driving. (more)

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Columbus Considers Texting While Driving Ban

Concerns over texting while driving are pushing lawmakers to take action as Columbus city leaders discuss a possible ban on texting while driving.

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Published: March 08, 2010

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Concerns over texting while driving is pushing lawmakers to take action as Columbus city leaders discuss a possible ban on texting while driving.

The city could join others like Cleveland and Toledo that already have laws on the books. Locally, the city of Bexley has already banned texting while driving.

Hilliard and Pickerington have also discussed laws against texting while driving.

Sharon Montgomery keeps a list of everyone who has died because someone was on a cell phone, often texting, and not paying attention to driving.

That's why her husband John died.

"My husband died after six weeks in ICU and I had life-threatening complications with my injuries," Montgomery said.

That's why she's on a mission to try to end texting and talking on cell phones while driving.

Montgomery will attend the Columbus City Council hearing Tuesday -- the first hearing in the push to outlaw texting while driving.

A similar push is occurring at the state level.

Something else that is on the horizon: a video from Nationwide Insurance shows the phone of the future that will detect when drivers are moving in a vehicle and not allow texts or phone calls.

"The phone is not ringing. The person you have called is now driving and now I'm getting a recording that tells me that the subscriber I'm trying to call is currently driving and can't answer the call," according to the video.

"Once you're driving in the drive mode, if a phone call comes in or a text message comes in, it automatically sends it to voicemail," said Bill Windsor, of Nationwide Insurance.

"It needs to be all conversations with these devices -- oral, written, hand-held, hands-free and it needs to be a primary offense. When the offender causes serious injury, they need to be penalized more severely," Montgomery said.

It is estimated that up to 25 percent of all traffic crashes are caused by distracted drivers who are on their phone, mobile or electronic device.

City leaders are asking for public input on the possible ban by hosting a series of public hearing. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m. in council chambers.

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