AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Here’s a follow-up to our story Tuesday on a possible ban of texting while driving in Amarillo.
We reported the city's Traffic Commission is doing more research on that possibility, but a new report says those bans may not work.
The report, "Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do" summed up all the data on distracted drivers through January this year and focused on cell phones and text messages.
It found there was no conclusive evidence to verify that claim.
So we wanted to know, after hearing that report, what you had to say about a possible ban on texting and driving in Amarillo.
Braden Clark said, "I understand the need for the city to want to pass the ordinance to cut down on traffic accidents and what not, but to be honest I don't think people are going to pay attention to it. I think some will but the majority of people are going to continue to do it."
Brittney Robinson, another Amarilloan, agreed.
"It's a good idea because you know obviously there are a lot of teenage crashes and fatalities because of texting and driving, but I really don't think it's going to make a difference. For instance drugs, like pot's illegal but people still go and smoke pot you know."
Enforceability is one thing City Commissioners do feel will be a tough task, and Clark has questions about it too.
"I don't really see how they can enforce it, and frankly I don't really believe it's the governments right to get involved and try and dictate what we can do in that manner anyway."
Clark also says that a decision like this should be left up to the people of Amarillo, and if they take a vote and approve a ban, then that's fine.
Yet, the 40-page report had a surprising conclusion, despite the evidence, it still urged states to enact cell phone and texting bans.
