22-04-2025
Mom pushes for a statewide ban on texting while driving in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Suzanne Salter has spent the last decade telling her daughter's story, over and over again, in hopes of saving lives.
'Our daughter was only 31 years old, and she was actually just driving to pick up some sandwiches about two miles away,' Salter said. 'She was stopped to make a left-hand turn. This was the day after Christmas, and while she was stopped, blinker on, there was a car with a young driver that hit her from behind.'
Salter said it was discovered that the driver had been texting at the time of the crash.
'There was a long list of texts, actually,' she said. 'And when she had to write her written report that was attached to the police report, she said that she didn't know she was driving in the left lane and didn't know what she had hit. Did not know what she hit until she heard a thump.'
Salter has testified repeatedly before the Louisiana Legislature, sharing her daughter's story in hopes lawmakers will pass a law banning handheld phone use while driving, not just texting in school zones, which is currently illegal in Louisiana.
Louisiana law currently bans texting in school zones, but it lacks a comprehensive statewide ban. More than 30 states already have stronger laws on the books.
Salter said the legislation has failed several times, even after making it through committee.
'When we get to the floor, they are concerned about profiling,' she said.
She said some lawmakers have said banning handheld phone use would interfere with their ability to work while driving.
'I live up north, and I'm coming down here, and I have to do some work, and so I need my phone,' Salter recalled hearing.
Salter emphasized that the proposed law, HB 519, does not ban talking on the phone using Bluetooth.
'All you got to do is press a little button, right? Because this bill is not saying that you can't speak on it… just be holding it, staring at it,' she said.
Salter's years of advocacy have earned the support of top state leaders. Despite years of heartbreak, she keeps showing up.
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