Law Banning Texting and Driving Passed by Texas House Committee

AUSTIN, Texas -- After passionate testimony from victims in crashes that involved texting and driving, the Texas House Transportation Committee unanimously passed through House Bill 62 which would ban texting while driving in the state. The bill now goes to the full Texas House and Senate for a vote.

Texans are one step closer to not being able to text while driving anywhere in the state.

During Thursday's hearing, the bill had support from many, including the Houston Police Department who told the committee 10,000 crashes were linked to distracted driving in 2016. Lakeway Police called the problem of texting and driving an "epidemic" and said there would be no problems enforcing a statewide ban.

House Bill 62 isn't the first time lawmakers have tried to pass a statewide ban. Several other cities and municipalities have already banned texting while driving, including Sugar Land, which most recently passed a hands-free ordinance. However, texting while driving bans have come before the Texas Legislature in the past (four times previously), but have not gained enough support I the Texas Senate to pass.

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