SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The Alabama Senate is currently considering a bill that would make distracted driving illegal statewide, but Spanish Fort officials intend to move forward during the April 4 work session with plans to adopt their own stringent standard.

The Alabama House of Representatives already voted 86-2 on March 31 to adopt the measure that would make it illegal to send a text message, email or instant message while driving. In addition to each violation placing two points on a motorist’s driving record, violators would also be fined $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense and $75 for a third.

As written, the bill exempts voice-operated text messaging from the ban.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Alabama would become the 31st state in the nation to ban texting while driving if the Senate adopts the measure.

Spanish Fort Mayor Joe Bonner has said the city is addressing the growing area of concern “not quickly, but wisely,” and is considering an ordinance modeled in large part on one approved by the Daphne City Council four months ago.

Like the state proposal – and at odds with the other Baldwin County municipalities that have taken similar measures – the ordinance being considered by the Spanish Fort City Council would make distracted driving a primary offense as opposed to a secondary offense that can only be cited in tandem with commission of a primary offense.

At the same time, City Attorney David Conner has also advised that Spanish Fort police officers must still have probable cause to suspect a violation of the texting ban to initiate a traffic stop.

The council’s work session begins at 5 p.m. April 4 in the conference room at City Hall followed immediately by the regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. at the Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center.