WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsCould texting and driving get easier with new technology?

Could texting and driving get easier with new technology?

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - It's a dangerous, yet popular habit of teens while behind the wheel, and now South Carolina lawmakers have filed bills that would outlaw texting while driving behind the wheel.

Rep. Don Bowen (R-Anderson) filed a bill that would let police seize a phone to find out if someone was texting while driving when they were pulled over. If they were involved in an accident without injuries, they would face up to 60 days in jail, a $2,500 fine and a license suspension for a year.

Should a death be involved, the driver would be sent to prison for up to 25 years.

The legislation filed in the House could lead South Carolina to become the latest state, among 18 nationwide, to ban the popular way of communicating.

Lt. Doug Furlong with the Myrtle Beach Police Department says texting behind the wheel is a growing trend among teen drivers that can be dangerous and potentially fatal.

"It can be erratic driving, stopping quickly, or not stopping fast enough not to be an accident," he said.

Some drivers who admitted they text and drive say new technology makes the practice easier and safe.

"Now they have the keyboard phone so I know people will hold it in front of them and text," Dorthy Cryan said.

However, new technology boasts it will solve the problem all together. "Drivesafe.ly" is an application that can be downloaded to a cell phone that allows its users to turn their voice into text messages.

Best Buy representative Lynn LeBlanc says the new application should cut back on distractions, but Furlong argues the problem is when a driver is distracted - period.

Additional legislation has also been filed by Rep. Garry Smith (R-Simpsonville) that would allow for cell phone use to be factored into determining who was at fault in car accidents that result in lawsuits.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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