The popularity of cell phones has sky rocketed in the past two decades. Though communicating has become much easier, car accidents related to mobile use has also increased drastically. Reports have shown that texting and driving is more dangerous than drunk driving, according to
Virginia Tech Driving Institution. Though there is a law against drunk driving, there is not a law prohibiting texting and driving nationwide. Clearly, this is a serious issue.
In 2008, 5,870 people died in car crashes related to texting and driving. While over half a million people were injured in texting and driving related accidents. One would think these alarming statistics would force Congress to take action, but it hasn’t. As of July 2010, only 29 states have ban texting and driving according to
Governors Highway Safety Administration.
In 2008, 5,870 people died in car crashes related to texting and driving. While over half a million people were injured in texting and driving related accidents. One would think these alarming statistics would force Congress to take action, but it hasn’t. As of July 2010, only 29 states have ban texting and driving according to Governors Highway Safety Administration.
I agree with you Catie. Texting while driving is extremely dangerous and not enough is being done about it. Where I live, texting while driving is only illegal in school zones during certain times of the day. Although this is a start, its not quite enough. What is sad is that where I live playing music too loud is a ticket at anytime of the day. I'm pretty sure texting while driving might be a little more dangerous than playing music too loud.
ReplyDeleteIronically, the people that are preaching about not texting while driving are the ones that are doing so. My dad sends me emails about accidents that resulted from driving and texting all the time, but yet he still seems to think that its okay for him to do so. Which doesn't make any sense. A lot of people want to blame teens for this problem, but it isn't just them.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I had two friends on two separate occasions that had accidents resulting from texting while driving, one of them died and the other was injured so badly she was in a coma for over two weeks. Ever since their accidents, I swore I would never text again while I was driving, and I have upheld that for myself because seeing a friend die because of this is just too stupid, and I refuse to hurt myself or someone else because of a short conversation. However, I think that the only thing that really influences people to stop doing this is when they know someone personally whom has been hurt from it. And this is very unfortunate. Like you said, something needs to be done by Congress, but at the same time people - of all ages - need to realize that they are not invincible, and this simple act could easily get them or someone else killed.
Texting, and even talking on the phone while driving, is very dangerous. You are putting not only your life at risk, but the other driver's lives as well. They have not made it illegal to text while driving in my town yet, but it is something that is heavily discussed. I think that because cell phones are so new, there are not too many laws banning them while driving, but I think that will be changing soon!
ReplyDeleteTexting and driving can in no form be compared to drunk driving. You're are talking about intentionally impairing your body by means of alcohol and choosing to drive, with simply using what benefits Telephone makers entice us with in the first place. You cannot outlaw all things that may or may not be safe depending on the actor. While I do agree texting and driving is not safe, it is unfair to people that take safer measures when using their phones in cars. Not to mention that enforcing a law like the one you are suggesting would be waste because it would be impossible to enforce, not to mention there would be little support nationwide.
ReplyDeleteW.E. Bost, while I understand where you are coming from, this is a statistic, not something I made up. While people intentionally impair their body and choose to drive, other intentionally take their eyes off the road to focus on texting. I strongly disagree that it would be a waste because nearly 6,000 people died in car accidents related to texting and driving in 2008. That's 6,000 lives that could have easily been saved their cell phones were put away. Oprah launched a campaign "No Phone Zone" earlier in the year which has been sweeping the nation. After watching Oprah's episode regarding cell phone use while driving, my mom and many others pledged and have no longer used their cell phone while driving. So, in other words, I think there is plenty of support nationwide.
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