By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — On the same day a state law banning texting while driving took effect, a state lawmaker said he wants an attorney general’s opinion on whether the law covers people sitting in their vehicles in parking lots or on the side of the road.

“I’ve already had a couple of police (officers) in the area that I represent say that, under their opinion, they will be able to cite a person for text messaging if they’re in a parking lot and behind the wheel,” Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren, said today.

The lawmaker said he realized that was not the intent of the legislation, but he wanted the attorney general to take a look at it.

“If it’s not specifically said in (the law) then I think we’re going to get an opinion on that,” Green said.

Rep. Ray Kidd, D-Jonesboro, sponsor of Act 181 of 2009, also known as Paul’s Law, said today he believes the law is clear, but he has no problem with Green seeking an opinion.

“The bill says texting while driving,” he said, adding that he could not believe a police officer would read it any other way. “Anybody in their right mind knows it’s when you’re driving your car.”

Under Paul’s law, drivers of all ages are banned from sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle, except in emergencies.

Kidd named the legislation after Paul Davidson, 41, of Jonesboro, who was killed in a collision with a vehicle whose driver admitted he was sending a text.

Green said today the officers he talked to equated the new law to the state’s DWI law, which allows officers to arrest an intoxicated person who is sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle even if the vehicle is not running.

State police spokesman Bill Sadler said troopers will not be looking to issue citations to people sitting in their cars in parking lots or along the side of the road.

“The individuals who are most apt to receive tickets are those who are driving, as the statute indicates,” Sadler said.