Texting Ban One Step Closer To Being Passed In Grand Forks

A Grand Forks City Council meeting tonight brings the texting ban one step closer to being passed in Grand Forks.

Council members discussed fines and what a person should pay if caught texting in their car.

Although in the State of North Dakota fines can be as high as 1-thousand dollars, Council agreed to a possible 30-dollar fine,the same as careless driving.

Passing this ordinance would mean no one inside city limits could text while driving,this includes checking e-mail and using internet on a wireless device.

The Council and residents spoke of the dangers of texting while driving and why they think passing this ordinance is important.

“I'm as interested in this educationally as I am enforcing it because I think it sends a message.” said City Council President, Hal Gershman. “Certainly to those 16 to 24 that a majority of the texting seems to be happening, that we take this seriously and this is something that we want to discourage.”

“Driving is certainly a right not a privilege and there are certain safety things that go along with that. If we can minimize some of the risks for like I said other people on the roadway, in cars, bikes or walking. That's a good thing for our city to do.” said Altru Safe Kids Coordinator, Carma Hanson.

The City Council passed the introduction and first reading of this ordinance and there are several more steps before it is completely passed.

Tags: texting ban, lezlie johnson, texting, news