NWI lawmakers eye electronic device ban, work zone speed cameras to reduce distracted driving

It also seeks to permit the use of speed enforcement cameras, and other automated traffic control devices, on highways and local streets that are under construction.

"Distracted driving is an issue not only with people driving the cars and running into pedestrians, driving their vehicles and running into other vehicles, it's an issue when we talk about road construction," said state Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, a co-sponsor.

State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, another co-sponsor, agreed: "I look forward to us being able to find a way to make people safer and maybe save some kids' lives."

The resolution also was co-sponsored by state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, chairman of the House Roads and Transportation Committee, who last year led the push to significantly increase state and local road funding.

"With the kind of money we're going to be putting out there...we need to at least understand and be accountable to our constituents that we did all we could," Soliday said.

The study committee is supported by interest groups representing road workers, highway construction businesses, the trucking industry, prosecutors and mobile phone companies.

If approved for summer study, the distracted driving committee likely would meet one or more times between August and November.