Agencies ban texting, driving

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Traffic

The directors of two of the state's largest agencies - the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation - ordered their employees Thursday not to send or read text messages while operating state cars.

"We all know without question that it's not safe to text," said DPS director Mark Keel. "If it's not safe for the public, it's not safe for our folks either."

The ban is effective today.

DPS has more than 1,500 employees. DOT has more than 5,000.

Both agencies have major public safety missions. DPS includes the Highway Patrol and the Transportation Police. DOT is charged with making sure the state's roads and bridges are as safe as they can be.

"Our employees must contribute to their own safety and the protection of other drivers," said Transportation secretary H.B. "Buck" Limehouse.

In recent months, public awareness has risen sharply about the dangers of texting while driving as well as talking on a hand-held cell phone. The federal government has issued edicts restricting cell phone use while driving for both its own employees as well as trucks and buses engaged in interstate transportation.

This week, a S.C. House subcommittee took up a bill that would make it a traffic violation either to text or talk on a hand-held cell phone while driving. It will be discussed again next week.

Keel was at this week's hearing at the State House on restricting cell phone use while driving.

"Regardless of whether the legislature passes a bill or not," Keel said, "it's the right thing for us to do."

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