Texting while driving ban passes Senate

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A ban on texting while driving passed the state Senate Thursday by a vote of 29 to 21. It's the first time the full Senate has voted on a texting ban.

The proposal calls for a fine of up to $500 for violators. Texting while driving is already against the law for drivers under the age of 18, but only three citations have been issued statewide since the ban was passed.

Most of the debate came from senators who are opposed to the ban.

"This is one of those things that we're trying to control something we have no business to do here,” said Sen. Brent Steele (R-Bedford).

"Next are we going to start … outlawing using an iPod if a few people have some accidents as a result of that?" asked Sen. Scott Schneider (R-Indianapolis).

"In reality you cannot legislate responsibility,” said Sen. Phil Boots (R-Crawfordsville).

But the argument that carried the day came from Sen. Travis Holdman (R-Markle).

"It is unlike drinking a coke, adjusting the radio, changing a CD because it requires thought and action, manual dexterity at the same time,” Holdman said.

Differences between the House and Senate versions of the texting ban will still have to be worked out but, for the first time, it now appears that a bill against texting while driving is sure to land on the governor's desk.