Working Out The Details of A Texting-While-Driving Law LANSING, MI (MPRN) -

State senators who worked to ban texting-while-driving say they want to reach consensus with the House in the coming month. The Senate approved similar legislation as the House, but included tougher penalties for the violation.

State Senator Buzz Thomas has been working to approve a texting ban for a few years. He says a deal with the House should go smoothly because most lawmakers agree there needs to be a ban in place soon.

"At some point we're going to have to have a broader debate about distracted driving and cell phones in general," says Thomas, "But Michigan isn't there yet, the rest of the country isn't there yet. But this will start a very prudent discussion about what is and is not safe."

Leaders in the House and Senate are expected to work out the details of the agreement over the next few weeks. Thomas says he'd like to see the bill become law by the spring. © Copyright 2012, MPRN