Councilor Proposes Ban on Texting While Driving in Boston

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A Boston city councilor is hoping his proposal to ban drivers from sending text messages will spur a statewide ban on a practice most consider dangerous.

John Tobin says he expects his fellow councilors to sign off on the proposal and send it to the mayor by Dec. 16. Mayor Tom Menino, who has already barred city workers from texting while driving, supports the measure.

The rule before the City Council would require approval by the Legislature.

Tobin says he hopes a city ban would spur the Legislature to act on one of the more than 15 bills that would regulate texting while driving.

Tobin said a person who types a message while driving is 23 percent more likely to have an accident than someone who is slightly intoxicated.