The state of Alabama may not have put a ban on texting while driving yet, but some cities are moving forward on the issue.  On July 22, the Huntsville City Council became the 5^th city in the state to make texting while driving illegal.

Proposed by Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle, the ordinance prohibits drivers from sending or receiving text messages, pictures, or emails while driving.  A first offense means a fine of $100, up to $500 and three months in jail for three violations or more.

Even though all five city council members voted unanimously on the issue, some still have doubts on how the ordinance will be enforced, especially knowing it of secondary enforcement, meaning an officer must see drivers breaking another law before pulling them over for texting while driving.

“I see problems with this, but I am certainly not going to sit up here and vote against it because that would be sending the message that it’s ok to text,” said councilwoman Sandra Moon.

For mayor Tommy Battle, this was the right decision to make the roads safer in Huntsville.

“This tonight is just a common sense idea, don’t be looking down taking your eyes off the road when you should be looking at the road,” he said.

The ordinance will take effect on September 22.

Source: WAAY TV, July 22, 2010;  WAFF 48 News, July 23, 2010

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2. Roanoke city texting drivers face up to 3 months in prison
3. Vermont bans texting while driving
4. 3 Ohio cities looking to prohibit texting while driving
5. Dubuque drivers invited to keep their focus on the road