Advocates gather at Texas Capitol for hands-free cellphone legislation
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another rally happened outside the Texas Capitol Wednesday in support of a bill to restrict phone usage on the road.
AAA, alongside others, showed its support for Senate Bill 47, which is also known as the Allie’s Way Act. SB 47 would require all drivers in Texas use their cellphones in hands-free mode while driving.
The bill is named after Allie White, a young girl who was killed in September 2019 when a car hit her while the driver was distracted by their cellphone.
Allie’s parents are strong supporters of SB47. They both founded the nonprofit Allie’s Way, which is focused on ending distracted driving.
“This bill would save lives. It would produce the consequences needed, because Allie’s killer got nothing, walked away, killed my child and walked away scot free. Something needs to happen,” Jamie White said.
In 2017, Texas passed a law prohibiting reading, writing or sending messages while driving. However, it does not prohibit holding a phone to your ear to make a call.
