More States Ban Texting While Driving

Vermont is poised to become the 26th state to ban texting while driving, following closely behind Wisconsin and Michigan.

Aides to Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas (R) said he will sign into law a ban approved by the legislature on May 6.

The ban would take effect July 1 and carry with it fines of $100 or $250 if a subsequent offense occurs within a 2-year period.

In Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) signed a texting-while-driving bill May 5. Fines there will range from $20 to $400 after the bill takes effect Dec. 1.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) signed the state’s new texting law on the April 30 episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Michigan’s ban takes effect July 1 and mandates fines of $100 for the first offense and $200 for subsequent offenses.

Michigan and Wisconsin still allow talking on cell phones while driving. The Vermont bill would prohibit 16- and 17-year-old drivers from doing so.