By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-897393.mp3
LANSING, MI –
A ban on text messaging while driving is on its way to Governor Granholm's desk to be signed into law. The state House gave the ban final approval Tuesday.
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The measure will allow a police officer to pull a driver over for sending messages on their cell phone. That could include any messages with text on a cell phone, including texting and sending emails.
Democratic state Representative Lee Gonzales sponsored the measure. He says lawmakers will continue to debate the effects of distracted diving, such as talking on the phone.
"You got to figure over time, future Legislatures are going to have to take a look at cell phones as well," he says.
Gonzales and a representative from the state police say officers will be trained to know when it is appropriate to pull a driver over for texting. The law will go into effect in July.