A state senator is hoping the video of a fatal accident involving the death of a Department of Public Safety officer will finally impress lawmakers enough to approve a ban on texting while driving. It will be the eighth try for Sen. Steve Farley, who says it is time for lawmakers to stop making political hay on what is a safety issue.

“This is not a partisan issue in any way, shape or form,” Farley said. “The distracted driver does not care if you are a red or a blue when you’re being run into and killed or injured.”

Farley plans to use video of the crash between a big rig and DPS officer Tim Huffman’s patrol vehicle as leverage in winning approval of the bill. Texting while driving is already illegal in Phoenix and Tucson. Farley is adding stiffer penalties to his latest effort to win a statewide ban.