AAA poll finds motorists support outlawing text messaging while driving

A recent survey about traffic and transportation related topics of AAA members in Missouri, Southern Illinois, southern Indiana and eastern Kansas has found that 92 percent believe texting behind the wheel is deadly and states should pass laws making the practice illegal. Eighty-seven percent of those same respondents said they would not favor a law that makes texting illegal only for newly licensed drivers.

Mike Right, a spokesperson for AAA Missouri, said those responses seem to reiterate public sentiment he's found among others in the state and nationwide.

"Based upon the studies I've seen you're at least four times more susceptible to a motor vehicle accident while driving," he said. "When you factor in text messaging that number would certainly multiply because it's engaging cognitive reasoning and both hands of the driver. And that's unlike using a cell phone, which you still may have control by using one hand."

Right said that AAA is supportive of a bill proposed in Missouri's state legislature banning the practice.

State Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, is sponsoring Senate Bill 130 that would outlaw motorists from sending, reading or writing text messaging while driving in the state. The bill would not apply to those operating emergency vehicles or persons sending a text message to report illegal activity.

If passed the legislation would become law on Aug. 28.

Look for more on this story later in the day at semissourian.com and in Wednesday's edition of the Southeast Missourian.