Northwest Indiana Discussion

Senate wants drivers to put down their phones

INDIANAPOLIS | Hoosier motorists texting -- or talking -- on a telephone while driving could face a fine of up to $500 under legislation approved by the Indiana Senate Tuesday.

House Bill 1129 was changed Monday to prohibit talking on a telephone while driving -- unless using a hands-free device -- joining a previously House-approved ban on texting or e-mailing while driving.

The changed legislation, approved 29-20 in the Senate on Tuesday, now goes back to the House to see if lawmakers there also want to prohibit talking on a telephone while driving.

It's uncertain whether the House will ever vote on the changed legislation due to the House Democrats' walkout that has halted all House action since Feb. 22.

Without the 40 Democrats, there are not enough representatives present in the 100-member body to meet the 67-member attendance requirement to take a vote.

If the Democrats return, it's likely the Senate-approved texting and talking ban will be sent to a House-Senate conference committee to come up with legislative language acceptable to both chambers.

All but one Northwest Indiana senator voted in favor of the ban on texting and talking while driving. State Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, voted no.

The topic was talking and texting while driving. Why don't you start a thread on gay marriage rather than ruining yet another thread with your off-topic, angry babble....and tired, overplayed "why aren't you complaining about this and that" schtick?

You want to know why?

Because I saw an elderly man that I knew, named Dick Maloney, mowed down right in front of my eyes by a teenage girl who was texting while driving in broad daylight.

He was crossing US231 in the crosswalk but none of it mattered, because the driver wasn't paying attention to the road in front of her.

Is that a good enough reason for you creep?

It has nothing to do with your gay marriage agenda.

Texting (and talking) while driving is JUST as distracting as drinking and driving. How can anyone in their right mind (I guess this would exclude chuckblows) oppose this law?

edited

And, who is talking (posting) about second hand smoke? Try to keep up with the grown ups!

Here's one for ya...
I just got back from picking up my lunch. When I was walking through the parking lot, a woman was on the phone, smoking, and trying to park. She was only doing 66% of the tasks well. Took her three attempts to pull into a stall. Wouldn't put down the phone or the cigarette! The car was crooked...

Ignore him.

His only intent is to drag threads off topic.