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Columbia Missourian

Missouri bill barring texting for all drivers gets support

By The Associated Press
January 27, 2010 | 10:24 a.m. CST

JEFFERSON CITY — A bill banning all Missouri drivers from text messaging draws broad support in a Senate committee.

Lobbyists representing police, highway workers, doctors, a cell phone company, bicyclists and older citizens all testified in support of the legislation Wednesday in the Senate Transportation Committee.

A Missouri law enacted last year bars people age 21 and younger from writing, sending or reading text messages while driving a vehicle. Violators can be fined $200.

Sen. Ryan McKenna of Crystal City is sponsoring legislation to extend the prohibition to all drivers, regardless of age. No one testified against the bill during Wednesday's hearing.