Delawareans support Markell’s pledge for tougher penalties against texting and driving penalties

Tougher penalties for texting while driving could be on their way to Delaware very soon.

Governor Jack Markell has pledged his support for it. He said he would sign the bill to increase fines no matter how high they go.

Governor Markell made this comment after he experienced a virtual reality demonstration yesterday of the potentially fatal consequences of texting while driving. The bill increases the penalty for a first offense from 50 to 100 bucks, and boosts the fees for subsequent offenses from between 100 and 200 dollars to between 200 and 300.

Eric Miller says, “I think that is the best thing that could happen. You see too often people at stop lights looking at their phone, the light changes they don’t go. You see them swerving down the road all the time.”

Gary Humphreys says, “I think it’s a real good idea. It will keep me safe on the road and my grandkids.”

Libby Davis says, “Blue tooth for your phone is a lot cheaper than the fine. You can’t text on it, but you can still talk.”

47 ABC didn’t find any residents on the street in Delaware who thought the bill was a bad idea.

The legislation also calls for points to be assessed on someone’s driver’s license for second or subsequent offenses.