Nebraska lawmakers will consider banning sending or receiving text messages while driving

Bill would ban texting while driving in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. — Sending or receiving text messages while driving may soon be illegal in Nebraska.

State Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff introduced a bill Thursday to ban texting while driving. It would bring Nebraska in line with 19 other states and the District of Columbia.

Harms says he thinks texting is a dangerous distraction for drivers.

In an Associated Press survey of Nebraska’s 49 lawmakers, 22 said they supported such a ban. Only five senators said they opposed a ban. Six said they were unsure about a ban, and 16 did not participate in the survey.

AAA Motor Club and the National Safety Council are encouraging all states to outlaw any cell-phone use and texting while driving.