Senate rejects texting while driving ban

Senate rejects texting while driving ban

HELENA — A bill to make texting while driving illegal in Montana has failed to pass the state Senate.

Senate Bill 251 would have let police pull a driver over for using a cell phone to send text messages, with a $100 fine for violators.

The Senate rejected the proposal Friday on a 31-18 vote.

Sen. Christine Kaufmann, the Democrat carrying the bill, says texting while driving is a dangerous epidemic in the state and law enforcement needs to be able to stop it.

Those opposing the bill say it is an unenforceable regulation that would create more problems for law enforcement than it would solve.

Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, voted against the proposal. Sen. Rowlie Hutton, R-Havre, voted no.

HELENA — A bill to make texting while driving illegal in Montana has failed to pass the state Senate.

Senate Bill 251 would have let police pull a driver over for using a cell phone to send text messages, with a $100 fine for violators.

The Senate rejected the proposal Friday on a 31-18 vote.

Sen. Christine Kaufmann, the Democrat carrying the bill, says texting while driving is a dangerous epidemic in the state and law enforcement needs to be able to stop it.

Those opposing the bill say it is an unenforceable regulation that would create more problems for law enforcement than it would solve.

Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, voted against the proposal. Sen. Rowlie Hutton, R-Havre, voted no.