Noting sending, reading or responding to cell phone text messages while driving is the “No. 1 cause of accidents,” Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens Tuesday asked the Columbus City Council to consider an ordinance prohibiting the activity in city limits.
“I”m noticing an increase throughout the county, actually throughout the country, of driving while texting,” Mickens said, adding the council should consider an ordinance prohibiting “not only texting while driving, but also (driving) while on a cell phone.”
Columbus Mayor Robert Smith asked Mickens if he”d like to hold a public forum on the matter, but Mickens suggested City Attorney Jeff Turnage research and present to the council options for an ordinance, before scheduling a public hearing.
“Texting while driving does present a danger,” Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Councilman Bill Gavin agreed. “But how are we going to enforce this?”
“It would have a lot to do with us seeing (the activity),” said Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John.
“We”ve all seen people text while driving,” responded Ward 5 Councilman Kabir Karriem. “I don”t think it”s that hard to see. I think (having an ordinance prohibiting texting while driving) is a very good thing.”
“It speaks for itself,” said Mickens. “It”s a no-brainer. The number one cause of accidents is texting while driving.”
“There”s almost an unlimited number of options for an ordinance,” said Turnage, who agreed to research and develop options to present to the council.
In 2009, Gov. Haley Barbour approved a bill making Mississippi one of at least 10 states banning young drivers from text-messaging while driving.
Under the law, a new driver caught texting behind the wheel can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $500.
If driving while texting results in an auto accident, the fine can be $1,000.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington, Washington, D.C., and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving.
Text messaging while driving is banned in 30 states and an additional eight states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
In another matter, Landmark Holdings LLC agreed to withdraw a request to rezone four lots at Magnolia Park Subdivison from an A-1 general agricultural district to an R-5 mobile homes park district.
On behalf of Bobby and Tina Watkins, Stewart Stafford, who is a member of Landmark Holdings LLC, earlier asked the Columbus Planning Commission to rezone the property.
The City Council Tuesday was asked to uphold the Planning Commission”s recommendation to approve the request, but Stafford said Landmark Holdings, LLC wanted to withdraw the request, in light of objections from nearby residents.
“We don”t want to be a bad neighbor,” Stafford told the council. “If they won”t want us there, we don”t want to be there.”
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