Nebraska Safety Chief Wants Texting, Seat Belt Bills in 2013

A Nebraska highway safety official says discussions are afoot for legislation next year that would make it a primary offense to text while driving, KRVN-AM radio in Lexington said.

Nebraska Highway Safety Administrator Fred Zwonechek is eyeing at least two proposals designed to improve driver safety.

One proposal would apply to texting while driving. The other would make it a primary offense for drivers and front-seat passengers to not wear seat belts.

Current Nebraska law considers driving without a seat belt a secondary offense. That means motorists can’t be cited unless they’re already being cited for another violation.

Zwonechek said he favors introducing the measures just to bring the issue into the spotlight.