Hands-free texting while driving would be banned under bill | News

SACRAMENTO, CA - A Bay Area Assemblyman wants to prohibit texting with hands-free mobile devices while driving.

California already bars texting with a hand-held electronic device while driving but permits the practice with voice-activated devices.

Assembly Bill 313, authored by Assem. Jim Fraser, D-Oakley, would essentially ban all texting while driving by outlawing voice-controlled devices, too.

The bill's language states there are no studies supporting texting with voice-activated or hand-held devices while driving as safe. It also says distracted driving was responsible in 3,300 deaths and more than 400,000 injuries nationally in 2011.