COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Would a proposed texting ban in the city of Columbus go far enough to curb distracted driving?
Columbus City Councilman Andy Ginther wants texting behind the wheel outlawed as a minor misdemeanor: a primary traffic offense with officers pulling drivers over to hand out fines of up to $150.
"This is the only type of distracted driving that involves taking your eyes, mind and hand off the wheel at the same time," Ginther said. “This is the most dangerous form of distracted driving."
But at Tuesday night's public hearing, some drivers argued that texting is only part of the problem.
"You're not dealing with the larger problem," said Aaron Martin of Columbus. "We keep isolating on texting. I think we're doing that because it's easy. It's fashionable, and other states have done it. And I personally don't think that's really the way for leadership to govern."
Many drivers, including Martin, see any phone activity -- including talking -- as the real problem on the roads.
Ginther said he is focusing on texting, adding that there is a consensus of opinion against it. But many questions remain, including how to prove a driver was texting?
Other questions center around the use of GPS devices, using Blackberries to look up directions, or dialing a phone to talk.
Ginther said he and other council members are still working on the details of the proposed ban. He has scheduled another public hearing for later this month. The earliest the council can vote on the proposed texting ban is in April.
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