Lawmakers will decide if using your cell phone while driving will become a primary offense in Nebraska.
LB471 will change the current state law from a secondary offense.
Senator Rick Kolowski introduced the bill before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on Monday.
“I don't want to go to anymore funerals of high school kids that were killed because of distracted driving,” said Kolowski.
Those who were for or against the bill testified before the committee.
“Secondary enforcement of traffic safety laws sends the wrong message to our citizens about the seriousness of the injuries and death occurring on our roads,” said Laurie Klosterboer, Executive Director of the Nebraska Safety Council.
Several people showed up in support of the proposed law change, and one person showed up in opposition of the bill.
“An officer will be allowed to stop people for a whole variety of things if this law becomes a primary offense,” said Spike Eickholt, representing Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney Association.
Senator Jim Smith has heard this bill in past years on the committee and he says there are concerns about how the new offense would be enforced.
“What we do want to make certain is individual rights are not violated,” said Smith.
New committee member Senator Tom Briese said he is in support of the bill, “I don’t think enforcement is an issue and I think the education and PR value of it is significant.”
Briese said he feels if Nebraska changes their texting and driving law it would help make our roads safer
“Common sense suggest it could reduce the incidents of distracted driving.”
The committee will decide if the bill will move onto general file. Five of the eight senators will have to vote yes in order for it to move on.
The committee should vote in the next few weeks.
