Stricter Cell Phone, Texting Bans Due in ’12

If it turns out, texting while driving played a role in last week’s deadly Reed Market Road crash, the question arises: Could a tougher ban on cell phone use while driving have helped prevent what happened?

The Oregon Legislature passed a stricter bill earlier this year that doesn’t take effect until next year.

In 2009, the Oregon Legislature passed a law banning drivers from using their cell phones but there was an exception for business purposes.

This year, lawmakers voted to get rid of that exception, except for first responders, emergency calls for help or some agricultural workers.

Lawmakers hope the changes will close loopholes people may have taken advantage of in the past.

And as with the original piece of legislation, texting is banned while driving.

State Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, supported the bill.

“With texting, you are having to look down at the keyboard and definitely take away from your attention driving,” Whisnant said.

Whisnant says he hopes the bill will prevent many more injuries or deaths.

“Driving is a full-time job, and we shouldn’t be doing things that will take away from driving,” Whisnant said.

A texting distraction may have played a role in the crash that killed 16-year-old Forest Cepeda of Bend. And many drivers NewsChannel 21 spoke with Tuesday say any use of the cell phone while driving is dangerous.

“I think texting while driving is extremely dangerous,” Cathy Ames said. “You’re obviously not paying attention to the road, and things happen quickly.”

“I think it’s dangerous, and I think people should be concentrating on what they are doing and that’s driving,” Lynnsey Bondi said.

And for Whisnant, and other lawmakers, keeping our roads safe is a top priority.

There still is an exemption in the new law for police, fire and emergency workers, as well as for some farm workers. The changes to the law will go into effect on Jan. 1.