Could this be the year Louisiana passes a law allowing cops pull over and ticket drivers who are holding their phones? A hand-held phone ban bill is advancing, based partly on the promise that it could lower car insurance rates.
Supporters of a bill to outlaw holding a phone to your ear while driving say states that have these laws also have lower car insurance rates.
Melinda Deslatte of the Public Affairs Research Council says the governor is championing it.
"The fact that the governor is backing the idea clearly will help pick up some votes," she said. "Quite another number of other states have these laws in place, and insurance companies have pointed to them as creating a safer driving environment."
The House Transportation Committee endorsed the bill, something lawmakers have tried in some form or another now for close to a quarter of a century.