The Idaho Senate has taken up SB 1274, the bill to ban texting while driving. "This bill specifically calls out texting as inappropriate and unsafe, and it provides guidance for those who might text that it's against the law," Sen. Jim Hammond, R-Coeur d'Alene, told the Senate.

Hammond said he used to think Idaho's inattentive driving laws adequately addressed this issue, but then he learned that just from 2002 to 2007, 16,141 deaths nationwide were caused by texting while driving. "Any activity that we undertake to enhance the safety of our driving public relative to this rising number of fatalities seems imperative to me," he said.

Hammond said, "Not too long ago, I was pulled over and warned for exceeding the speed limit. That was a great motivation for me. I was tickled that I didn't actually get a citation, but just visiting with the officer was substantial motivation for me to remember to watch my speedometer a little closer." He said he disagrees with arguments that a texting ban will mean a jump in traffic stops. "The level of enforcement that's taken on any piece of law is up to the discretion of the officer," Hammond said. "They're not compelled to make stops specific to any bill that we pass. But they can use that to visit with drivers and better educate them as to safer ... driving."

Sen. Les Bock, D-Boise, said, "It's been a long wait. ... We have a bill that I think is better than any of the bills that we've seen before."

Meanwhile the House has recessed its floor session for a closed-door Republican caucus.