Tell me if this sounds familiar:
You’re driving along in your car and your phone beeps. It happens to be a simple text message from one of your friends asking you a simple question. Now you have a decision. You can quickly text your friend back while you drive, or you can wait 20 minutes to reply to the message. What do you do?
According to statistics, most of us would probably text our friend back while driving. I’m just as guilty of it as anyone else. Unfortunately, I’m not in the minority. Statistics show that over 50% of people (specifically teens) admit to texting while driving.
While that may sound alarming, the news gets worse. Studies are now showing that texting while driving (or driving while texting in many cases) may be as distracting and dangerous as driving drunk. Just as a drunk driver is disoriented on the road, “texters” are extremely distracted, often looking down instead of keeping their eyes on the road. For those of us who have been in an accident, we all know it only takes a split second for something devastating to happen.
In many ways, it’s a selfish problem. We’ve all been behind someone swerving on the road who constantly changes speeds from 10 mph under the speed limit to 20 mpg over. When we finally catch up to them, we look over and see the person is typing away on a Blackberry, ignorant to his or her driving habits. When that happens, we get mad. We honk our horn. Maybe we yell something at him or her. And we definitely make sure to get out from that car.
However, when our phone beeps, our concern for everyone else on the road (and in our car) goes out the window. For some reason, our plans with Stacey take precedent over safety.
Several states have taken action against this by developing “Hands Free” Laws. These laws prevent drivers from using cell phones in any capacity while driving, unless the driver uses a “hands free” receiver, such as Blue Tooth. This prohibits texting and holding a phone to the ear.
The majority of states have yet to adopt this type of law. Without laws in place, texting while driving is completely legal, even for teenagers.
I think it’s about time we start putting down our cell phones and demanding tighter driving laws.
Okay. I’m off my soapbox for today.
April 13th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I am definitely guilty of changing speeds. Swerving? Ok… maybe. I am sorry. I hate it when you’re right! :)
April 14th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Arkansas just passed a “hands free” law. It is now illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to use a cell phone at all in the car and ages 18-20 have to have a hands free device when using the phone. Once your 21 you can use your phone however you want.
April 14th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Few driving-related incidents anger me more than the scenarios you describe. I think much of it has to do with the average individual’s complete lack of patience. The driver isn’t patient enough to wait until he/she stops driving to reply to the message sent by someone who probably isn’t patient enough to wait for the driver to park before receiving a response. I’ve gotten a nasty text on more than one occasion saying something like, “Why are you ignoring me?” just because I’ve continued driving instead of sending an immediate reply.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I feel that driving while under the influence of alcohol should be punishable by law because alcohol physically distorts your mental state and therefore impairs your ability to drive.
However I do not feel the government has any right banning cell phone use in vehicles. Why? Because I do not believe the government should have that much control in an individual’s life. Where does the control stop? Today they ban cell phones. What “distractions” will they ban tomorrow: Radios? CDs? Passengers? You may think I’m being ridiculous but our elected officials lately have been in a bad habit of telling the American people what they can and cannot have/do. I would not dare to say that this is out of the question. For example, recently many states have banned smoking in privately run business such as restaurants and bars. I am not a smoker and I hate the smell of cigarette smoke, however I am extremely opposed to this! Why should the government have the right to tell any privately run business what they can and cannot do!?!?! Some say the government stepped in because of the health issues of secondhand smoke. Where do we draw the line because I’ll tell you what’s next: the government tells the restaurants and bars they cannot longer serve certain foods because it is not healthy.
My point is we do not need the government saving us from ourselves. If we all practice a little personal responsibility, we will be okay.
April 14th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Jeremy, I have to disagree with you on a few things.
The government is not trying to ban the use of cell phones in cars. They are trying to ban the use of people holding their phones in their hands while operating a vehicle. People can still use their phones, but under the “hands free” law, it would ensure one hand would not be occupied by a phone.
Also, this issue is nothing like smoking in a private place. I can agree with you on that issue. However, we’re talking about driving in public, state-owned roads. That’s much different than a private establishment. In addition, we’re talking about public safety on a public, state-owned road. It’s not a matter of government interference. It’s really a matter of life and death.
Would you also argue the government should not be required to make laws about seat belt use or putting children in a car seat?
April 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I would argue that a person using a handsfree device is just as distracted as someone holding a cell phone in their hand. And what about when someone changes the radio? Or checks on the kids in the backseat? Is that not causing a public hazard? It is a slippery slope and when you give the government an inch, they take a mile.
I believe children need to be protected by their parents. Unfortunatly we have so many neglectful parents in this country that the govt. has stepped in and made laws to protect them. However I would argue that the govt has no right telling an adult they have to wear a seatbelt. Is wearing a seatbelt a wise choice? Absolutely! But if someone 18+ years old does not want to, who is the the United States Government to tell them they have to?
April 14th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Studies show ppl using Blue Tooth or some other hands free device are more distracted over other drivers…but not as distracted as someone with a phone in his or her hands.
Yes, parents are neglectful. That’s why we have seat belt laws for children. That’s also why we have hands free laws for parents and teens as well.
I can see your point about adults not having to wear seat belts. But let’s remember, in the grand scope of things, it all comes back to the safety of other passengers. Texting while driving is much more dangerous than messing with the radio or talking to others. Studies prove it. I think we can make that sacrifice to keep safety in place. You argue for personal responsibility. Well, people aren’t taking personal responsibility. This isn’t the government infringing upon our rights…it’s the government keeping us safe but asking us to put off a “luxury” for a few minutes.