Montana is one of the last states where it’s legal to send a text message while driving, but that could change if the legislature approves a bill debated Tuesday in the state House.
Forty-four states completely ban texting while driving, a few others ban it for certain drivers, such as teenagers, but only Montana and Arizona have no restrictions at all. House Bill 297 would make it illegal for a driver to send or read text messages on a handheld device. The goal is keeping drivers focused on the road, instead of their phone.
Republican Nick Schwaderer of Superior said the bill doesn’t go far enough, there are many distraction that it doesn’t cover.
“Here’s a list of things you can do on your phone while driving if this bill passes: "annotate a SnapChat while you’re driving, playing candy crush, reading Twitter, checking your Facebook, watching YouTube. Still dangerous, the bill doesn’t do what it wants to do. Vote no," urged Schwaderer.
Other opponents claim the bill isn’t needed because state law already bans distracted driving. But supporters of a texting ban won out, just barely. The bill passed 52 to 48. It still needs final approval before heading to the Senate.
