In a recent article, the New York Times explained how lawmakers have proposed 200 bills to curb distracted driving. With most proposed legislation banning texting while driving, we thought the topic was worth discussing since the expert text message creator is usually in the same age group as most UCF students.
There is much controversy regarding the proposed bans and their effectiveness at reducing accidents on roads. We feel students should understand that whatever it is they are saying is not important enough to warrant typing while operating a vehicle. If what you need to convey is that crucial pull your car over and send the text message safely.
It is easy pushing this theory and harder to convince motorists to commit to better behavior while driving. Many people have become addicted to the feel of immediate gratification. Technology experts have made it easier for all us to communicate through our handheld devices once used for emergency situations only.
People are not just text messaging while they drive. They are updating their Twitter and Facebook accounts. Some people are so confident in their ability to drive and type simultaneously that they take photos while driving and upload them, with text, to personal Web sites.
Some people argue that they are not a danger to fellow commuters because they only send text messages while stopped at red lights. With our ever-increasing need for speed, in an attempt to move faster to accomplish more, this practice can quickly turn into texting while driving. Typing anything into your phone, while in the driver’s seat, should just be avoided.
According to a program by National Public Radio, police officials in Denver agree that the best way to reduce traffic incidents is to simply stop typing while driving. Although Denver politicians incorporated a recent ban on teenagers texting while driving, the police force has yet to write one ticket.
They told NPR that basic problems are preventing police from catching drivers. Since the ban only covers teenagers, police can’t write tickets for drivers who are 18 years old, who at times often look like they are 17 years old. Also, their ban only covers text messaging, which can look the same as typing in contact info or a search in an iPhone application. It is hard for police to prove that the driver was sending a text and not doing something else.
Bans on text messaging while driving are not entirely successful yet but we still advise students to avoid potential pileups by not typing or texting while driving.
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