PHOENIX, March 13 (UPI) -- State lawmakers in Arizona, Connecticut and Washington are pushing to outlaw text messaging behind the wheel.
Arizona state Rep. Steve Farley said he is sponsoring a ban on driving while text messaging because he believes it even more distracting than regular cell phone use, Stateline.org reported Tuesday.
"There is no way you can keep your eyes and attention on the road and the text you are writing or reading," the Democrat said.
The Arizona bill would impose a $50 fine for texting behind the wheel and a $200 fee for texting found to have contributed to a road accident.
Connecticut state Rep. Lawrence Miller proposed a law that would fine drivers $500 for texting. He said drivers need to keep their hands on the wheel.
"You have to hold it (the device) in place with one hand and try to spell out your message with the keyboard. I don't know how they do it," the Republican said.
Washington state Rep. Joyce McDonald, a Democrat, said her bill, which would carry a $111 fine, was inspired by a five-car pileup in the state that was caused by a BlackBerry user.
