For those of you baffled by the fact that it is still legal for drivers age 18 and over to text and drive in Texas, the Austin American-Statesman ran a lengthy story explaining this problem. Here are the opening paragraphs:
There is no doubt that texting while driving is dangerous, but Texas remains one of only four states without a law banning the practice — and changing that scenario will be an uphill battle when the Legislature returns in January.
The Texas Senate, where anti-texting bills were defeated in 2013 and 2015, is poised to remain hostile territory in the 2017 session. Much of the opposition has solidified around the Legislature’s most conservative Republicans, who are leery of broadening police powers and see anti-texting laws as furthering an intrusive, “nanny state” government.
State Sen. Konni Burton, R-Colleyville, vowed to renew last session’s successful effort to block a texting ban from getting a vote on the Senate floor.
