Lawmakers hope a ban on texting while driving for state employees is just the first step in curbing the dangerous practice statewide.

Saying he hopes it will be an example to all Oklahomans, Gov. Brad Henry signed an executive order Thursday that prohibits state employees from text messaging while driving state vehicles. Some lawmakers are hoping that a ban on all drivers is in the making.

“This is a great start,” State Sen. Debbie Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, stated in a press release. “Studies have shown texting while driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving — but this executive order only applies to state employees.”

Leftwich stated she will push for the passage of Senate Bill 900 that would ban teenagers from texting behind the wheel. Leftwich filed the bill last year, but it was never given a hearing.

Support for Henry’s ban is bipartisan.

“I think this is a wonderful step forward,” State Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, stated in a press release. “This will help us gain momentum for an important public issue.”

Tibbs stated she has been working on legislation that would allow cell phone use while driving but only when hands-free devices are used.

Tibbs said she has tried for the past three years to move forward with legislation limiting the cell phone use while operating motor vehicles, but the bills have died in committee each year.

Students’ reactions to a potential texting-while-driving ban are mixed.

“I have mixed feelings when it comes to the issue,” Ross McNamara, University College freshman, said. “I know that it will make the roads less dangerous and probably save lives, but at the same time, we’re all going to text and drive.”

One student who said she does not text and drive said she nevertheless finds the potential ban ridiculous.

“If you have to text and drive, pull over to the side of the road,” said Jessamine Dumanas, University College freshman. “But if there is an emergency, you should be able to send a quick message without feeling you are breaking the law.”

Psychology senior Dami Akande, who admits to texting and driving, said the ban would be hard to enforce and would not make much of a difference.

“I drive to Texas all of the time, and one of the first signs you see says ‘Please Don’t Text and Drive,’ but sometimes you just have to do it,” Akande said.

“I can understand where people are coming from who want the ban, and it can make the roads safer, but you can easily hide a phone when you text and drive so that the police can’t see it.”

Akande said she has heard news reports in which law enforcement officials in other states with texting and driving bans have said it is hard to enforce the law because people can easily hide their phones from the view of officials.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have banned texting while driving.