From Barry Schiller:
The RI General Assembly may be going into its last week but there is still a chance to pass a bill to enhance safety for bicyclists and other roadway users by banning text-messaging while driving.
A bill sponsored by Senator Sue Sosnowski, S204A, to do this has already overwhelmingly passed the State Senate and was sent to the House Corporations Committee which also has a similar bill, H5021, sponsored by Representative Joe McNamara who has often helped us with bike safety bills. Despite support from RIDOT, AAA as well as the bike community, and even in light of the well publicized MBTA text-messaging accident, the House Corporations Committee has not yet acted.
So, if you support this bill, please call the Committee Chair, Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy, at the Corporations Committee, 222-2369 and at least leave a message with the clerk there. As the Speaker has a lot to say about what bills pass, similarly consider calling the Speaker’s Office, 222-2466 where they will take messages. If you know the sponsors or other legislators, ask them to help, this is a common-sense safety measure for all.
You can point out the recent accidents caused by people texting while driving. I have been told that three AAA roadside repairmen have been killed in the past five years by drivers texting while trying to operate an automobile.
If you have a question or suggestion, please call Barry Schiller, 353-6536