Alabama Panel Passes Texting While Driving Bill

An Alabama House committee has approved a bill that would ban sending or reading text messages while driving.

The bill by Republican Rep. Jim McClendon of Springville passed the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday. It would fine drivers $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $75 the third time caught texting while driving.

Drivers would also receive one point on the driver’s license for each citation. Twelve points can cause a driver to lose his or her driver’s license.

Last session, the proposed texting ban passed the House and died in the Senate.

McClendon said texting while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk.

The bill goes to the full House for debate.