OKLAHOMA CITY — As more and more cities and states pass laws banning the use of cell phones – including texting – while driving, this “nanny statism” has finally struck lawmakers in Oklahoma.

And that’s unfortunate. Oklahomans tend to pride themselves on the fact that more government intervention is not a good idea. Good old-fashioned common sense is usually acceptable and reasonable laws are followed.

Banning cell phones and texting while driving is unreasonable, in the eyes of the Oklahoma Watchdog.

Rep. Sue Tibbs, a Tulsa Republican who serves on the House Public Safety Committee, is planning to introduce a measure to ban texting, and another that would ban talking on cell phones while driving unless a hands-free device is used, reports the Tulsa World this week.

The World, of course, thinks we are all children and says that while the texting ban makes perfect sense, banning the use of cell phones while driving is a “dicier” issue.

“It little matters the cuase of distraction for drivers – talking on the cell phone, texting on a cell phone, spending too long at the bar before getting behind the wheel, applying make-up or fiddling with the radio.”

And then the World editorial board shakes its finger in our face in the final sentence: “Distracted driving, all of it, is dangerous driving.”

So, we know where one of the state’s largest newspapers stands on the issue. Yet one more law. Another source of revenue for local municipalities in tough economic times. Makes sense, eh?

Fortunately, there are some state legislators, like Sen. Randy Brogdon (R-Owasso), who does not support a ban on texting while driving or on cell phones because the government is already “overreaching.”

Brogdon told the Tulsa World: “A little bit of personal responsibility goes a long way. More legislation I don’t think is the answer to something like that.”

But clear-thinking lawmakers like Brogdon are usually drowned out by the nanny-staters.

Naturally, cries of “safety” are bandied about, and sad tales shared by people who have lost loved ones in collisions resulting from inept drivers using cell phones or texting are repeated in the media. Charts and graphs are thrown in the mix, as well. It’s not unlike those shrill Mothers Against Drunk Driving meetings.

Rep. Danny Morgan, a Democrat from Prague, was reported as saying “legislation is needed” regarding the use of cell phones while driving.

“I am most concerned about our youth’s growing addiction to their cell phone and their tendency to oversetimate their ability to multi-task behind the wheel.” Education and awareness, added Morgan, “is not enough.”

Morgan said Oklahoma’s “antiquated” laws leave law enforcements hands tied. Morgan, Tibbs and other lawmakers are supported by everyone from various “safety” outfits ranging from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office to the Oklahoma Safety Council. All of whom are concerned about our, umm, safety.

How about promoting more freedom, Rep. Morgan?

And then we discover that the City of Duncan (Tulsa is looking into this too) had planned to ban the use of wireless devices while driving a motor vehicle. However, according to a story posted on the website of The Duncan Banner late Tuesday night, the City Council tabled addressing the topic “until the legislature makes decisions regarding the use of cellphones while driving.”

Duncan Mayor Gene Brown was reported as saying at Tuesday’s City Council meeting: “Something should have been done on the federal or state level, but the city’s go to look out for the citizens also. But we definitely don’t want to put Duncan in an unfriendly position of people who are passing through.”

Good point, Mayor Brown. It would be “unfriendly” and just another law infringing on the rights of motorists who are talking to a loved one, conducting business or calling information in hopes of finding that business you can’t find.

Ironically, in the same report, noted above and quoting Rep. Danny Morgan, the example of the State of California is noted in that it is an infraction to wite, send or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communications device while driving. However, just this week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a nanny-stater if there ever was one, discovered that his own wife, Maria Shriver was spotted “chatting one here cell phone while driving – a no-no in California – a couple of times by entertainment site TMZ.

I’m sure the First Lady of California has her excuses. For the rest of us, we have business to attend to and people to talk to and most of us would prefer that the state stay out of our business.

Copyright 2009 Oklahoma Watchdog