NE lawmaker wants to strengthen texting law - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

A Nebraska lawmaker has introduced a bill that would give police the authority to pull over motorists who are texting while driving.  It's one of two driver safety laws changes to be discussed this session in Lincoln.

The bill introduced Friday by Scottsbluff Senator John Harms would make texting while driving a primary offense.

Current law only allows police to cite drivers who have been stopped for another traffic offense.

Some state senators who represent districts in Siouxland say legislation may not be the answer.          

"I think technology's going to take care of that itself.   I think we're going to get more voice activated technology where you say something and the telephone or the computer translates it into a text message, " said Paul Schumacher of Columbus.

"I am not a big proponent of telling people what they can and can't do on a regular basis," said Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins. 

The other legislation expected to come before the Unicameral would make driving without a seatbelt a primary offense.