Anti-Text Messaging Bill Dies In North Dakota House
A rather inauspicious end to what would have been an unenforceable boondoggle. It failed 34 - 60.
For the record, I’m not in favor of people text messaging while they’re driving. I’m not in favor of them driving while distracted by their iPods or stereos or passengers either. But there are already laws that punish people who drive while distracted. Charges for things like reckless driving are routinely filed against people who aren’t paying enough attention behind the wheel. In fact, under existing laws, drivers who harm or kill other people with distracted driving can be held accountable for manslaughter. Adding yet another law on top of those laws isn’t likely to make us any safer from careless driver.
And it would do a great deal to strain our already overburdened law enforcement resources.
I’m glad this bill is dead. Time to move on to more important things.
