Alabama Texting Ban Passes House Committee

An Alabama House committee has approved a bill that would prohibit sending text messages on a cell phone while driving a motor vehicle.

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee approved the bill by Republican Rep. Jim McClendon of Springville on Wednesday. It would make it a traffic violation to drive on a public highway or street while text messaging.

A driver would be fined $25 for a first violation, $50 for a second violation and $75 the third time a driver is stopped for texting while driving.

McClendon said texting is one of the most dangerous things someone can do while driving.

The bill passed the committee on a voice vote. It now goes to the House for debate