Idaho Bill Says Driving & Texting OK, As Long As Driver Isn’t Distracted

An Idaho House representative has proposed a bill to allow people to text and drive — as long as they’re not distracted.

House Bill 141, proposed by Rep. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, says no person operating a motor vehicle shall use an electronic device that causes such person to be distracted or otherwise fail to exercise due care — but does not entirely ban texting and driving. The bill would create an $75 infraction for distracted driving, when a driver uses a hand held electronic device.

While it may sound impossible to keep both eyes on the road and text at the same time, Rep. Hagedorn said his proposal represents a compromise between those who want to ban texting and driving completely, and those who killed a texting ban in last year’s legislative session.