Texting while driving bill to get further study

ATLANTA - Over protests from a Lumpkin County legislator, lawmakers are taking a closer look at texting while driving legislation proposed last week.

Representatives on the House public safety committee debated the bill on Wednesday. At issue was how law enforcement would be able to determine if a driver is texting or using their cell phone for another purpose.

State Rep. Amos Amerson of Dahlonega, who helped write the bill, urged his colleagues not to focus on how the proposed law would be enforced. And supporters of the bill say its main purpose will be as a deterrent to would-be offenders, who may be broken of the habit with the threat of a hefty fine and driving penalties.

At the end of the hour-long hearing, the bill was referred to a study committee for further consideration.