Tomorrow, the Transportation and Public Works Committee will hear Bill 67 (2008), introduced by Councilmember Charles K. Djou (Waikiki, East Honolulu), proposing a ban on text messaging and playing video games while driving.

"Text messaging and mobile emailing has become a popular phenomenon in our community, but it is something that shouldn't happen while driving," stated Councilmember Djou. "Driving and sending text messages or playing a video game are simply incompatible activities and should be prohibited by law."

The proposed ban on text messaging while driving is modeled on similar legislation passed by the state of California and several other municipalities across the country.

In a released statement, Djou said he recognizes that while some people can make an argument that they can still safely drive while talking on a cell phone, there is no way anyone can send a text message or play a video game and still safely operate a motor vehicle.

Should the bill pass tomorrow it will go forward for second reading on Dec. 3 and for final passage in January 2009.