Texas Defensive Driving Online News
Today’s world offers many different kinds of high tech gadgets and devices to help make our lives easier. Many of these are mobile devices that allow for access from anywhere. They simply access a wireless or satellite signal so that users can quickly get online, map out directions to where they are going, or text and call their friends and family. All of these are great advancements, except when they encroach on our ability to be safe. I am talking about the dangers of distracted driving. It isn’t good enough to simply refer to texting while driving, since that is one of a host of possible distracting activities a driver could participate in while behind the wheel. However while on the topic of texting while driving…it is a problem that is getting worse not better. Just in today’s news I say in the Houston Chronicle there was an article that referenced an anonymous national survey that polled 15,000 teenagers and it found that over 58% admit to texting while driving. Also in today’s news was the story of Aaron Deveau who was just sentenced to 1 year in a Massachusetts jail for vehicular homicide after his car veered into oncoming traffic killing Donald Bowley and permanently injuring his girlfriend who was riding next to Mr. Bowley. It is an innocent mistake, but something that is happening more and more, especially amongst the youth.
Texting and Driving Ban
According to the article on CNN.com about Aaron’s story, currently 38 states ban texting for all drivers, while 31 states ban cell phone use by “novice drivers’. In Texas it is illegal for drivers under the age of 18 to use a wireless communication device while in a car and there is a statewide ban on cell phone use in school zones (calling or texting). Also, certain Texas cities have enacted their own distracted driving laws. In the last Texas legislative session a bill was passed by the House and Senate to ban texting while driving statewide, but it was vetoed by the Governor. Unfortunately this problem isn’t going away and it has been a popluar position that it is too difficult for city and state law enforcement officers to determine if a driver is texting or doing some other activity on a mobile device in their car. For example, how does an officer know if a driver is sending a text or receiving one, or whether or not a driver is sending a text or just looking at their call history. For this reason, the States need to decide if they are going to allow mobile (non hands free) devices at all behind the wheel. By banning the use of any mobile communication device while driving (not just texting), it would make it very easy for an officer to enforce, since they aren’t required to determine what the driver is doing with the mobile device.
Is it worth it?
Not just because we are a Texas defensive driving course provider, but as a member of society that cares about its fellow people, we find it difficult to understand why so many drivers are willing to take the risk of texting or participating in other activities that are distracting and potentially threatening to their safety while behind the wheel. Would you be willing to close your eyes for 3-5 seconds while you are driving? Most would say “NO”, yet continue to take their eyes off the road repeatedly to read a text or check for directions. Don’t become another Aaron Deveau, and instead put your entire focus onto the task at hand which should be on scanning and searching the road for signs, signals, hazards, and other drivers. Be an example, and be distraction free behind the wheel. Maybe your example will effect those around you. Here’s to safe driving!
