Legislation has been proposed in at least three states to ban text messaging while driving. In May, Washington became the first state to completely ban texting while driving. Three states and the District of Columbia have placed bans on hand-held cell phones while similar laws will take effect in two other states next year.

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have cell phone restrictions on drivers with learner's permits or young drivers — including some that have complete bans. In 2006, Utah legislators — saying laws in cities and counties need to be consistent — passed a law saying only the state can enact prohibitions on cell phones.

In the Beehive State, Utah Highway Patrol trooper Preston Rabin said distracted drivers, especially teens, constitute a growing problem on the road.

"There's such an increase with the amount of teen drivers with cell phones," he said. "We have seen an increase in accidents based on the fact they're distracted. They're not fully paying attention to driving. They're either plugging in an iPod, tuning through songs, on the phone ... it's a trend that will continue to increase."

In April, less than a month after Mulkey's fatal accident, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson signed an executive order prohibiting city employees from using cell phones or texting while driving. Linda Mulkey was in attendance when Anderson signed the ban.

The ban excludes law enforcement, City Council members and their staff and any employee using their cell phone to report any emergency.

A 2006 study conducted by University of Utah researchers showed distracted drivers were just as likely to get in a crash as intoxicated drivers.

Mulkey graduated from East High School early and was attending Westminster College. She was an aspiring painter and an athlete who was on the East High track team and liked to snowboard. She was Linda's only child.

---

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com