A bill that would outlaw texting and using a hand-held cell phone while driving was passed unanimously by the West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee.  Texting while driving would now be a primary offense.  Using a hand-held cell phone would still be a secondary offense.  A person who texts while driving is twenty-three times more likely to be involved in an accident.

The West Virginia Trucking Association also supports the bill.  Truckers  are already prohibited from texting or talking on hand-held phones while driving.

Texting while driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways. In 2009 alone, nearly 5,500 people were killed and 450,000 more were injured in distracted driving crashes.

The Senate bill sets the fines at $50 for the first offense; $100 for the second offense, and $200 for each subsequent offense.  Drivers would be penalized three points for a third texting offense.

Governor Tomblin supports the bill.  The bill will now go to the full Senate, and a similar version is being considered in the House.

Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes by Age and Vehicle Type, 2009

Total Drivers		Distracted Drivers		Drivers With Cell Phone* (% of Distracted Drivers)
Total	45,230		5,084 (11%)		1,006 (20%)
Drivers by Age Group
Under 20	3,967		619 (16%)		138 (22%)
20-29	10,719		1,378 (13%)		293 (21%)
30-39	7,633		832 (11%)		196 (24%)
40-49	7,930		811 (10%)		161 (20%)
50-59	6,559		631 (10%)		124 (20%)
60-69	3,968		367 (9%)		56 (15%)
70+	3,778		408 (11%)		37 (9%)
Drivers by Vehicle Type
Passenger Car	18,279		2,044 (11%)		386 (19%)
Light Truck	17,822		2,117 (12%)		475 (22%)
Motorcycle	4,593		562 (12%)		63 (11%)
Large Truck	3,187		257 (8%)		75 (29%)
Bus	221		14 (6%)		3 (21%)