LANSING (AP) -- Michigan is a step closer to banning the practice of texting while driving.
The Michigan Senate passed a bill by a 31-6 vote Tuesday that would prohibit the use of cell phones to read or write text messages or e-mails while driving. Similar legislation also has passed the House.
Both versions call for texting to be a secondary offense, which means police would need another reason to pull motorists over before they could be cited for texting. Some lawmakers say that weakens the measure and ties the hands of police officers trying to prevent accidents.
The House and Senate would have to agree on a final version of the legislation before it could be sent to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her signature.
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