LANSING—With more stories about fatalities and serious injury being caused by drivers who had their hands busy texting instead of driving, the Michigan state Senate Transportation Committee today passed out Senate Democratic Floor Leader Buzz Thomas’ (D-Detroit) bill that would ban texting while driving.

“There is no reason to be texting while driving,” Thomas said. “It is distracted driving, it is dangerous, selfish, and a serious hazard to everyone on the road. The simple act of banning this process makes our roads safer and is a reminder to all motorists that we don’t want you doing texting while driving.”

The penalty for texting or playing video games while driving would be a misdemeanor and a $100 fine. It would also be a secondary offense, which means that law enforcement would not be able to stop someone for the offense but would only be able to ticket them if they are already pulled over. The bill would allow drivers to text in the case of an emergency or when their vehicle is stopped at a light or a stop sign.

“Everyone agrees that there is no need to text or play games while driving,” Thomas said. “There are enough potential distractions on the road already and, if we can eliminate one of the most dangerous, we are making our roads a little safer.”

The bill is SB 402 and it is headed to the Senate floor. Senator Thomas introduced a similar bill in 2007.