Alabama Cities Issue Few Texting Tickets

Alabama authorities say a ban on texting while driving has produced only one citation in Decatur since it took effect two months ago, while a similar ban has not yielded any tickets in Athens in the month it’s been on the books.

When Decatur’s city council enacted the ban last fall, Councilman Ronny Russell argued it would be worthwhile if it saved a single life.

Councilman Greg Reeves, who cast the only dissenting vote, called the proposal “a law only a politician could love” that gives the appearance of making streets safer while actually accomplishing little.

Texting bans gained in popularity across the state last year with Huntsville, Madison, Birmingham, Montgomery and Daphne enacting similar rules.