STATEHOUSE (Oct. 28, 2009) - An estimated 6,000 people died on the roads last year at least in part due to the use of electronic devices like cell phones, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. State Sen. Travis Holdman wants to do something about it.

Holdman (R-Markle), co-chair of the Interim Committee on Driver Education, filed legislation today that would prohibit Hoosier motorists from texting and e-mailing while driving. According to a 2009 report by the AAA Foundation, 87 percent of drivers rated text messaging or e-mailing while driving as a very serious threat to their safety.

Holdman authored Indiana's current Graduated Driver License law which prohibits teens up to age 18 from using cell phones and texting while driving. Holdman said he received encouragement from constituents and experts to prohibit all motorists from texting while driving.

Holdman said his legislation would impose a fine on a person caught texting while driving.

"A driver's crash risk doubles when attention is taken off the road for two or more seconds," Holdman said. "An increasing number of people are texting and e-mailing while driving, which diverts their attention away from the road and endangers other motorists, passengers and pedestrians. This legislation will save lives."

Indiana would join 18 other states and the District of Columbia in banning motorists from texting while driving. Holdman said the proposal is expected to be considered during the 2010 regular session beginning in January.

"A Virginia Tech study showed text messaging on a cell phone was associated with the highest risk of all cell phone related tasks," Holdman said. "As texting-type tasks continue to grow in popularity we have to use what resources are available to help reduce the amount of crashes and fatalities on our roads. This is another positive step forward in protecting all Hoosiers on our highways and byways."

One in seven drivers admitted to texting while driving, according to a 2008 report by the AAA Foundation.

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