Texting while driving would be banned in Kansas under bill legislative panel will sponsor

Kansas to debate ban on texting while driving

TOPEKA, Kan. — Texting while driving would be banned in Kansas under a new proposal that’s circulating among legislators.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee has agreed to sponsor a bill enacting a ban. The measure would be debated after legislators convene their 2010 session on Jan. 11.

Committee Chairman Jay Emler says his interest in a ban was inspired by being stuck behind a driver who was texting while driving on the highway. He says the state needs to have the discussion.

Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, says the bill would include possible jail time for someone caught driving while texting.

More than 20 states have banned texting while driving, and studies have shown that drivers are more likely to contribute to an accident when texting and driving.