Tennessee House Panel OKs Ban on Texting-while-Driving

A proposal to prohibit texting while driving has advanced out of the House Transportation Committee despite the vocal objections of some members of the panel.

Pegram Republican Rep. Phillip Johnson noted that drivers can already be pulled over for text messaging under the state’s existing distracted driver law.

East Ridge Republican Rep. Vince Dean, who is a retired police officer, questioned whether police would be able to tell whether drivers were texting or dialing phone numbers.

The measure sponsored by Bristol Republican Rep. John Lundberg was advanced to the House Finance Committee on a voice vote after the panel added a provision that would require posting road signs about the law.

The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the Senate Finance Committee.

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