Alabama House passes ban on texting while driving bil

MONTGOMERY, Al.
The Alabama House of Representatives today voted 92-0 for a plan to ban texting while driving in Alabama. The plan now goes to the Senate for review.

''It's very simple: no texting and driving in Alabama,'' said Rep. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, the sponsor of the plan, House Bill 2.
Under the plan, anyone texting while operating a vehicle on a driving on a public road or highway in Alabama would face a fine of $25 for a first conviction, $50 for a second and $75 for each later conviction.
Each conviction also would carry a 2-point penalty on a person's driving record. A person's driver's license is suspended for at least 60 days if he or she gets 12 or more points in a two-year period.
''I think it will save lives, and I support it,'' said Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery.
The plan would not ban a driver from talking on a cell phone.