Locals endorse text-driving ban

REVERE – Don Zollo admits to sometimes using his cell phone to send text messages behind the wheel but he joined a majority of randomly interviewed drivers Thursday who applauded a proposed Beacon Hill ban on the practice.State Rep. Peter Koutoujian’s bill would prohibit texting as well as speaking on a cell phone without a hands-free headset. The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation reviewed the bill Thursday as a first step to sending it to the Massachusetts House, then Senate, for consideration.Koutoujian’s proposal parallels an amendment to the state Senate budget adopted in May banning motorists from using Internet accessible equipment while driving including sending text messages, electronic mail or online reading.The Senate plan slaps a $75 fine on charges and mandates insurance surcharges for drivers caught red handed. Twelve states have enacted bans on texting and driving bans, including New Jersey.The risks of texting while operating a vehicle received widespread attention after the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority established a 10-day suspension policy for any Authority driver caught using a cell phone. The policy was enacted on May 18 following a trolley crash that injured 50 people. The driver admitted to using his phone while the trolley was moving.