Legislators applaud Governor’s ban on texting while driving

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 21, 2010) An executive order banning the practice of texting while driving in state-owned vehicles earned applause from both Democrats and Republicans in the Oklahoma House of Representatives today.

“It’s great to see that the Governor understands the gravity of this issue,” commented Democratic Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague. “His actions today will undoubtedly save lives in the future.”

Rep. Morgan said he is optimistic that legislation creating a similar prohibition in state law will be approved this year, because he has joined with Republican Rep. Sue Tibbs as co-author of the measure, HB3250. Similar legislation has died in committee during the past three years.

“I think this is a wonderful step forward,” said Rep. Tibbs of the governor’s executive order. “This will help us gain momentum for an important public safety issue.”

The governor’s action affects all state employees who are driving while performing their jobs, anyone driving a state-owned vehicle, and anyone using a state-owned electronic device. In addition to texting, the order also bars similar activities involving a hand-held electronic device, such as data retrieval, reading or writing email, and instant messaging.

Governor Henry said his is also concerned about the effect on driving from talking a hand held cell phone, but said the evidence on that isn’t as overwhelmingly clear as the texting data, and that he would leave the issue for the legislature to decide. The legislation proposed by Reps. Morgan and Tibbs allows cell phone use while driving only when a hands-free device is used.

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