Work on texting ban complete in MI legislature

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI –

The Legislature has completed work on a ban on texting while driving. But as Michigan Public Radio's Laura Weber reports, the measure was almost derailed over a last-minute controversy that spurred debate among lawmakers.

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Some House Democrats wanted money collected from texting citations to replace driver responsibility fees collected annually from drivers with several points on their licenses. Others thought there should still be more debate over the texting ban.

But Democratic state Representative Lee Gonzales says it's time to approve the work done on the measure now.

"We don't need to sacrifice the good for the perfect. The data is clear," he says.

Gonzalez says he'd like the Legislature to look into other driving distractions, as well.

Governor Granholm is expected to sign the texting-while-driving ban. The law would go into effect this summer.