Mass. House Approves Texting Ban For Drivers

House lawmakers are backing a plan to dramatically restrict the use of cell phones by Massachusetts drivers.

The amendment, which would ban all cell phones except hands-free models with voice-activated dialing, was attached to a larger bill designed to crack down on distracted drivers by banning texting while driving and prohibiting the use of cell phones by drivers under 18.

The House approved the bill on a 146-to-9 vote.

The bill also requires vision tests for drivers over 75 and allows doctors to report to the Registry of Motor Vehicles the names of patients they feel can no longer safely drive.

The legislation responds to growing public anger about a surge in the number of drivers taking their eyes off the road to send or receive text messages.

The bill now heads to the state Senate.