INDIANAPOLIS – You may like talking on your cell phone while driving. But, if Gov. Holcomb gets his way, you will only be able to do that with a hands-free device. Holcomb is proposing a bill that would follow 21 states with similar laws, if the state legislature agrees.

“No one should be surprised by that one. He’s talked about that one quite a bit and he had a great story in the chamber with him for making the case that that was necessary, said Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics at Purdue, Ft. Wayne.

The governor’s story, during last week’s State of the State address, involved Tina and Lorin Smith.

“Last August, Tina and Lorin Smith were riding motorcycles in a fundraising event and pulled off the road to check their mileage when they were sideswiped by a minivan whose driver was looking at her cell phone. Both Tina and Lorin lost a leg in that accident,” said Holcomb.

“Rather than ask “Why me?” they asked themselves how they could be part of a solution, and they’ve become advocates for reducing distracted driving ever since.”

Democrat Rep. Carey Hamilton, of Indianapolis, said she believes it’s a good proposal, but that Indiana is behind other states.

“It’s an important measure to make the roads safer for Hoosiers on bikes, pedestrians and in their cars,” she said. “That’s something that many states have already passed. To me and many of my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus, it’s a no brainer.”

Indiana already has a law banning texting while driving, which may be unenforceable.

But, the proposal has not gotten rousing support from Republicans, who hold the supermajority in both the House and Senate. With some leaders of the belief that it’s an infringement on personal freedom.