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Law Enforcement Officers Prepare to Enforce "Texting While Driving" Ban

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By Tamika Bickham

Story Created: May 7, 2012 at 8:55 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 8, 2012 at 12:07 AM CDT

Tomorrow, Governor Robert Bentley will sign a "Texting While Driving" ban into law. How will law enforcement officers handle the change?

CBS 8 rode along with Corporal Cedric Leonard to get a first hand look at what he sees when he's patrolling the streets of Montgomery County.

"It's almost like every other car or every third or fourth car that you pull up to, someone is on the phone or someone is texting," said Cpl. Leonard.

After just a few minutes, we saw one violator after another blatantly texting behind the wheel. Alabama's new ban on texting while driving will make this a primary offense and Leonard says if he sees what we saw, the citations will be rolling in.

"That means we are going to be pulling over a lot of vehicles. Whether we write them a citation or a warning, it will give us the opportunity to come in contact with a lot of people," said Cpl. Leonard.

Alquin Stokes says he won't be one of them.

"I don't text while I drive. I wait until I stop," said Stokes.

Stokes says he never texts when behind the wheel because he's seen the devastating consequences.

"I actually know someone who died and we still hurt from that. It was her fault. She was texting. She killed her and her baby," said Stokes.

Some admit to doing it at one time or another.

"I definitely try not to do it a lot, but I have," said Jillian Thomas, who supports the law.

Most agree it's a law that will only help keep us safer.

"It will cut down on driver accidents, whatever to keep us safe," said Thomas.

"Hopefully a lot more safe driving and a lot less accidents," said Mark Rhodes, who also supports the new law.

"Save a life. Don't text. Save a life," said Stokes.

This is a statewide law that will carry fines starting at 25 dollars for the first offense, 50 for the second, and 75 dollars for the third.

Governor Bentley will sign the bill tomorrow in a ceremony at the state capitol.

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