New Text Messaging Bill Totally Not Book

A pair of New Jersey lawmakers are attempting to ban text messaging while driving. This, uh, scourge of the roads was noted by the Inquirer in a more-than-extensive article last month.

N.J. Assemblymen Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester) and David Mayer (same) are proposing a bill to make it a $250 offense for driving while texting. And although the NHTSA reported texting is the most common distraction for drivers, why the first offense penalty — where a cop can pull you over just for texting while driving, where the cell phone law is only an additional fine if a cop pulls you over for something else — and why single out this one activity?

Moriarty said he steered clear of attempting to ban other distractions, such as eating, drinking or putting makeup on in the car, to give his bill a better chance.

“We want legislation that’s going to be passed, not just debated,” he said. “Trying to outlaw drinking coffee in the car isn’t going to pass. Banning text messaging probably will.”

Ahh, you see? New Jersey’s state lawmakers may not text in the car, but they do drink coffee. Damn punk kids and their distractions!

Proposed bill sends a simple message: Don’t text and drive [The Star-Ledger]
Feb. 26: Texting Teens Ravaging Interstates