According to the National Safety Council, drivers texting was a contributing factor in more than 1,000 Texas crashes. The council also states, “talking on a cell phone while driving makes you four times more likely to crash, and texting while driving increases your chances of a crash by up to eight to 23 times.”
Texas should approve a ban on texting while driving with appropriate exceptions for options like hands-free use and the governor should sign it into law.
The Legislature approved a texting ban in the 2011 session but Governor Rick Perry vetoed it because he said it tried to micro-manage Texans' lives. A similar bill didn't get out of committee in 2013 because legislators knew it would be declined again by Perry's veto.
But in January Texas will have a new governor for the first time in 14 years, and Greg Abbott should sign it into law.
The bill won't end texting while driving no more than other laws stop drunk driving. But the bill and the resulting publicity would put new force behind this common sense effort. A ban would save some lives in the short run and be a step in the right direction.
Forty-four states have prohibited texting behind the wheel and Texas should become the 45th.
4 comments:
In Mr. Navarrete's editorial, he brings up several good points about what the state of Texas should do with the use of handheld devices while driving.
Being that the technology involved with text capable devices has historically not been around very long, naturally things have to work their way through the system. I don't think anyone that remembers life before smartphones thought that texting would take off like it did, but it certainly has become a problem to contend with. As Mr. Navarrete said, it is often compared to being intoxicated with alcohol while driving. Well in Texas, there once was a time where trips from A to B were measured by saying, “oh its about a 6 pack away.” This was the norm as for quite some time in our nations history, drinking and driving was legal. But times change.
Being that federal law trumps state law, especially in the case of interstate vehicles like commercial vehicles, it has been illegal to operate any form of touch screen device while behind the wheel since January 2012. Most would agree that this is a good thing being that CDL drivers are working, and typically are hauling lots of weight. However, an argument could be made that what's good for the goose is good for the gander. This is especially true since the ratio of accidents is greatly on the side of non CDL drivers. Perhaps what is needed is more education on the matter at its infancy, rather than trying to be reactive about the situation and change habits after they’ve been strongly ingrained.
There’s such a fine line to be drawn with the issue of texting while driving. Creating a law that so broadly affects so many people would surely cause lots of turmoil, especially as people begin to cry foul just to get out of a ticket. Everywhere you look, there are statistics on the use of smartphones while driving. Glancing at a phone for even one second takes your concentration away for X amount of seconds total. All this is fine and dandy given optimal conditions and people. Where are the statistics on every time you turn around to check on the baby, or change the radio station or the other million things that are done in the vehicle while driving. I'm certainly not advocating for texting while driving, but unless the human condition can be cured or made illegal, we are going to be stuck with distracted drivers. Technology is here to stay, and the best solution would be as Mr. Navarrete said, to make it illegal across to board. At least it would be one less thing for 16 year old Brittany to be LOLing about.
I chose to comment on Mr. Navarette's " Ban texting while driving in Texas?" article from his Lone Star Politics blog. Mr. Navarette's point of view in my eyes is a correct course of action, texting while driving should be banned.
I drive A LOT on a daily basis in Austin, like a shit ton and I can't begin to tell you how many times I look over and see the person next to me in the other lane texting while blazing down the highway! I am at fault as well. There are times my impulses get the best of me and I text and drive and I know how stupid it is to do it! It is not safe in any way!
We all think "oh I pay attention, I'll be fine", but that is how accidents happen. I agree with Mr. Navarette, Texas needs to ban texting and driving ASAP. If the state passes the law and start fining peopole for the offense, then people will take it more seriously. I understand it's going to be difficult to catch citizens texting while driving, but as long as the threat is out there it will set somewhat of a small tone across the state. Unfortunalty, people, inluding myself, cannot control their impuleses even if they know it is dangerous and that is why I think the state should step in and take responsibilty. If the state declines to pass the bill, then I hope in the future, it is mandatory for all cars, to have some kind of hands free device installed.
Hopefully, Greg Abott (not counting on it, but you never know) , once in office, will help pass this bill in the upcoming legislation. Making Texas the 45th state to ban texting and driving.
My colleague, Justin Navarrete, posted an article “Ban Texting While Driving in Texas?” on December 1, 2014 that caught my attention. Mr. Navarrete states that texting while driving is a big contributor to car crashes and that it increases a person’s chances of a crash anywhere from 8 to 23 times. He also states that in 2011Texas Legislatures approved a texting ban, but unfortunately Governor Rick Perry vetoed the bill. I have been aware that texting and driving is dangerous and is becoming a major concern, but I was not aware that Governor Perry was against passing this much needed ordinance. I strongly agree with my colleague that texting while driving is a dangerous issue and that Texas’ Government should pass an ordinance banning texting while operating a moving vehicle.
Texting while driving is a big concern because drivers of all ages have done it at one point or another. There are various studies out there with stats on the percentage of people who text and drive, but the real problem is with people who actually think they are actually good at it or believe that they have mastered this skill. They don’t stop to think that they could possibly cause an accident that could put their life and other people’s lives in jeopardy. Texting and driving falls under a category of safety risks called distracted driving; acts or actions that keep drivers from safely operating a vehicle. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it involves a combination of three different types of distractions while driving: visual, manual, and cognitive. This proves that it not only impacts what we see, but also how we respond and the time needed to process what's happening before we can respond! I strongly agree with my colleague that Greg Abbott should put on his agenda to sign the texting ban into law when he officially becomes Governor of Texas. Safety is more important than a few words!
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