Many Support Texting Ban, Hesitant To Go Further

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) -Jot a quick text message while driving, and expect some disapproving looks from fellow drivers. Make a phone call, however, and they may be more forgiving.

"I saw a guy just going down the road on [Interstate] 35 and texting… I already honked at him, bad boy," said Dallas driver Deborah Elwood, as she made her way through afternoon traffic.

A survey by Nationwide Insurance found roughly 80 percent of Americans would support legislation to ban texting while driving.

Reaction to a recent comment by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, though, shows they aren't quite ready to go further than that.

In an interview last week, LaHood said he would consider calling for a ban to keep drivers from using a cell phone for any purpose.

He even seemed to oppose entertainment and information systems, like OnStar and Sync, offered by car manufacturers.

"I think it's stupid. I don't think they need a law saying don't use your cell phone in the car. That's ridiculous," said driver Janet Baska. "I live in my car, and your phone is everything."

Most drivers interviewed in Dallas thought an outright ban on cell phone use would go too far.

"No, I don't think it's a good idea," chuckled one woman stopped at red light with a cell phone to her ear.

Even most safety-conscious organizations, like Triple A, have narrowed their focus to a ban on texting while driving.

"When it comes to texting while driving, you're actually taking your eyes off the road. You're actually taking your hands off the steering wheel to manipulate the keyboard," said AAA spokesman, Dan Ronan.

The implication of more regulation has some, like Dallas County Libertarian party chairman Paul Petersen, concerned.

"Where do you stop? And for me, you stop at … hold people responsible for any damage or harm they cause to someone else, but other than that leave them alone," he said.