By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-866896.mp3
LANSING, MI – Michigan is one step closer to making it illegal to send text messages while driving. A ban on texting while driving was approved by a state House committee.
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Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have passed some sort of text messaging ban for drivers.
State Representative Lee Gonzales says that's because it's becoming clear that sending text messages while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk.
"I'm telling you this is a clear and present danger - we have to stop drivers from driving while intexticated," he says.
Gonzales says the Legislature may eventually vote to make talking on a hand held cell phone illegal, but passing this bill is the first step.
The U.S. Department of Transportation says thousands of people die every year because of distracted drivers. Gonzales says that of the more than 3 billion text messages sent every day, too many are probably sent from drivers who should be paying attention to the road.