Texting while driving would be illegal in Oklahoma under a bill being proposed in the House.
State Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague, unveiled the bill Jan. 19, flanked by members of law enforcement, health officials and insurance and wireless telephone company executives.
Morgan’s measure, House Bill 1316, will make it a criminal violation for all persons aged 18 and under to use a cell phone while driving (except emergencies), prohibits all drivers, regardless of age, from texting while driving, and prohibits all drivers from using a cell phone while driving in an area designated as school crossing zone. It also would ban the use of a cell phone in a construction zone.
All violations will be a primary offense.
Morgan says he anticipates bipartisan support for his measure and dismissed the contention that the bill infringes upon personal liberty. He said driving in Oklahoma is a responsibility, “not a God-given right.”
Representative Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa is a principal co-author of the bill.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesman George Brown says texting while driving has led to numerous fatalities in the state.
Topics Legislation Personal Auto Oklahoma
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
The $3 Trillion AI Data Center Build-Out Becomes All-Consuming for Debt Markets 
Trapped Tesla Driver’s 911 Call: ‘It’s on Fire. Help Please’ 
Former Ole Miss Standout Player Convicted in $194M Medicare, CHAMPVA Fraud 
AIG, Chubb Can’t Use ‘Bump-Up’ Provision in D&O Policy to Avoid Coverage 
