When New York Senator Charles Schumer introduced legislation that would effectively ban texting when driving, it seemed like an clear choice. However, getting similar laws going on the state level has proven difficult. How can this be possible in light of what CNN recently revealed about how eight out of 10 auto wrecks come from distracted driving? Apparently, state governors appear to be hung up on loopholes in the language of the legislation.
Article Source: Texting when driving legislation hits snags at state level
Texting when driving isn’t what’s holding them back
Numerous United States are having trouble making a texting while driving ban work. Georgia is one of those. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Governor Sonny Perdue is wary of difficulties of enforcement resulting from the chosen language. The difficulty in this case has much to do with language banning “the reading of any text-based communication” while driving. In addition, Gov. Perdue suggests what numerous other state governors have been thinking, the laws won’t necessarily change the behavior when it’s quite easy for drivers to get the instant gratification of texting while driving.
”If I get my e-mails and I pick up a smart-phone and read my e-mails,” asserted Perdue, “I’m violating the law. But if I print out my E-mails and I have a sheet of paper driving (and look at it), then I haven’t violated the law”.
Instant gratification is tough to resist
Using Perdue’s logic, perhaps all distracted driving should be against the law. Supporting that position shouldn’t be a tough sell. If stringent texting when driving laws go into effect, won’t each ounce of prevention be worthwhile? The AJC indicates that texting while driving causes 1.6 million accidents each year, which contains 500,000-plus injuries and 6,000 deaths. In addition, texting while driving has been shown to be 3 times a lot more dangerous than driving drunk, as focusing on a phone needs concentration. The AJC also reports that accidents are 23 times a lot more likely to occur when texting when driving is involved. Those are sobering numbers; people should resist the call and pull over before they play with their phones.
Auto Week and Oprah are on board
Auto Week has a highly motivated campaign against texting when driving. “We know what a car can do – artistically and brutally at speed,” writes Auto Week. ”As car guys we must be on the front lines to carry the message, willing to share with everyone we learn about the dangers of distracted driving. We must tell everybody to stop texting when driving. We are selfish that way. Because we want them to live”. Along similar lines, Oprah Winfrey’s “No Phone Zone” national campaign has garnered hundreds of thousands of petition signers.
America, do not text and drive
Gov. Perdue should sign the anti-texting while driving bill to conserve lives, even if it’s not perfect. For additional info on texting when driving laws in place, see the Governors Highway Safety Association link below.
Additional data at these websites
blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2010/06/03/advocates-make-last-minute-appeal-to-the-governor-to-sign-texting-while-driving-ban/?cxntfid=blogs_get_schooled_blog
autoweek.com/files/distracteddriving/distracteddriving.html
ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
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