Bill that would ban texting and driving in Texas dies in Senate

AUSTIN, TX (KTRK) -- The bill that would ban texting and driving in Texas -- HB 80 -- has died in the Senate.

The Office of Republican Rep. Tom Craddick released a statement saying the Senate did not allow the bill to be brought up for consideration. The statement read in part: "It is always disappointing when good legislation does not get enacted, but it is especially tough to tell the families that have lost loved ones because of a texting while driving crash or to look in the eye of a victim who is permanently confined to a wheelchair because of a distracted driving crash that the statewide ban on texting while driving will not become law and will not help prevent future injuries or loss of life. By not enacting HB80, we have not done our job as lawmakers to protect the life and safety of all Texans."

The House approved the measure which sought to make texting while driving an offense punishable by fees up to $200.

Texas is one of about a half dozen states with no laws on the books yet.