Everyone from pre-teens to grandparents is texting. Texting is the easiest and fastest way to stay connected with friends, family, and the world. Texting while driving has been the cause of many accidents involving teenagers and is even considered “the new drunk driving.” On July 1, the no texting while driving ban went into effect in Georgia. The law states that it is illegal for anyone to read, type, or send a text message, but adults can use the keypad to dial a number. If caught the fine is $150. The purpose of this law is to reduce the number of accidents caused by texting, right? Wrong!
I am guilty of texting while driving, I am happy that this ban has been put into effect. There have been many cases where I was caught up in a text message that I almost caused an accident or I missed a green light. However, I have many issues with this law because I think it was poorly written; first I don’t understand how it is enforced, but according to this Atlanta Journal- Constitution article if seen “driving recklessly,” the driver will get pulled over. In some instances, I’ve seen police officers texting behind the wheel, so why should others take the law seriously? Second, texting while driving is considered distracted driving, but doing anything in one’s car besides steering the wheel is a distraction, such as adjusting the radio, talking on the phone, or talking to passengers. Also, allowing adults to dial on the keypad is just as dangerous. Third, if texting while driving is considered ‘the new drunk driving,” making it illegal to drive while under the influence doesn’t stop teenagers or adults from doing it, so what makes this any different? At least, with drunk driving a breathalyzer test can prove that drivers were drinking, but police officers will have no proof if drivers are texting. Last, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, this ban has not reduced the number of car crashes, and in some places, it has increased it. Fernando Wilson, an assistant professor at the University of North Texas did a study showing that texting while driving increased car accidents by more than 16,000 between 2001 and 2007, which proves that this is definitely a major issue. In contrast, a recent study from the Automobile Club of Southern California, “found that texting while driving doubled in California after the state implemented its January 2009 texting ban and drivers who do adhere to texting bans might be replacing one distracted driving behavior with another.” If you can’t walk and text, please do everyone a favor and DON’T text and drive. Remember: NO text message is ever that important to take someone’s life away.
I agree that texting while driving is wrong. I also must admit, that I have been guilty of texting while driving. Due to the fact that many states have prohibited us to text while driving there is always an alternate solution. Teenagers aren’t supposed to drink until we turn 21, but has that stopped many of us? With today’s technology we are now able to communicate while not touching a phone. There are applications that we are able to download, that allow us to still text while driving. On my droid I can download Speak Text which allows the text message to be read aloud or the caller’s name to be announced with me have to look down at my phone.
ReplyDelete