The dangers of texting arise when an avid texter gets behind the wheel. Talking on the phone already poses a significant distraction from driving, and the distraction from texting while driving is far more dangerous. When you text while driving not only are you limiting yourself by driving with only one hand but you also are taking more time to push buttons and look at your phone rather than keeping your eyes on the road where they belong. At least when you’re talking on the phone your eyes are not as distracted. In fact, studies have shown that texting while driving is even more dangerous and risky than driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If that doesn’t make you feel uneasy, I don’t know what will!
Here are a few startling statistics for you. You are 4x more likely to get into an accident if you are drinking and driving, but if you are texting while driving you are 8x more likely. When a driver texts while driving, reaction time will decrease by 35%, and steering capability goes down by a huge 91%. These statistics are scary to say the least. Some cities like Austin have banned texting (even though people still seem to do it as it was not very well advertised.) More needs to be done to make sure that texting while driving is banned in the entire state, and to make sure the public is educated on such a law.
Perry, however, feels differently than I do. During the most recent legislative session, Perry vetoed the legislature’s plan to ban text messaging for all drivers. Perry stated that the distracted driver legislation would be a “government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults.” This is somewhat puzzling to me since he tried to do just that when he pushed for the Gardasil vaccination (see my blog below). While adults are entitled to their own behavior, texting while driving doesn’t just put the driver’s life at risk, but any other driver or person who crosses their path. Banning texting while driving is very crucial to help ensure safe driving across Texas.
Local TV stations in Austin like KXAN have been campaigning to “x” the txt. And I’m on board. There is no such thing as safe texting and driving.
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I completely agree with your argument against texting in driving in your article "Ex" The Text. I did not know this law even existed as I have seen so many drivers here sms, talk on the phone, even put on make up and drive. I have seen each example on the HIGHWAY! I simply just do not understand why people do it.
ReplyDeleteThe statistics you found were most interesting as it showcased texting and driving could be twice as bad as drinking and driving. Perhaps the reason it is so frequent is not only because it is not advertised enough but also because it is not enforced enough. Or perhaps since Perry did not recognize it as a bill that should pass for a state-wide ban, it is not on the list of priorities for Texas officers.
I also think that Perry was making an excuse for the veto. However, I do think you omitted to mention his full argument for his view. In the Texas Tribune article "Perry Issues Vetoes, Nixes Texting-and-Driving Ban" he states that he fully supports the ban of texting and driving of youth (under 18) but thinks it is over reaching the boundaries when stretched to adults. Perhaps he does want to ban texting for all of Texas, but lets be honest, who do we usually see texting? Young people. Its a youth revolution to text anyway- some adults dont even know how it functions. Although, I still think that it should be higher than 18 years of age. Perhaps if he raised the age of texting and driving to college graduates, it would be more appropriate. Then eventually as our generation gets older and still hasn't learned our lesson- maybe then we should push for a no texting and driving law in the state of Texas period. I think that what Perry is really afraid of is having people complain about their freedom as we've seen with the higher security body scans in the airports. People shouldn't really complain as its for their safety, but they claim its all about privacy and their freedom.
Personally, I feel it is important to ban texting all together in the whole US. If you would be driving safely and value safety, nobody would have anything to complain about. The same goes for the security checks: if you have nothing to hide, then why not do the security scan? However, realistically, I think the test of time and has shown that most Americans do not want anyone telling them what to do and this could push some people's buttons. And everybody knows due to the Texas Creed; nobody mess's with Texas.
Sources:
http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/texting-while-driving-ban-on-way-to-governor-1508240.html
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-legislature/82nd-legislative-session/perry-issues-vetoes-nixes-texting-and-driving-ban/