It’s been said that a driver can drive across the entire length of a football field in the time it takes to read an incoming text message. Sadly, that’s the distance some drivers are operating their vehicles while distracted by viewing and sending messages on cellular devices.
Lawmakers and citizens both agree that the amount of damage that can be done in those 4 to 5 seconds is fatal, but not everyone agrees on how to handle it. The issue seems pressing enough to make texting while driving illegal, but putting it into play hasn’t been so easy! There are essentially 4 arguments when it comes to creating a law about the issue:
- Those in support of House Bill 63 believe that if a person is caught texting or viewing a cellular device while driving, they should be charged as a lawbreaker and punished accordingly.
- Those who disagree with House Bill 63 generally agree that driving while distracted is irresponsible and believe most people already know this. But creating a new law is too drastic of a measure when the problem can be solved by education or some other means.
- There is another argument that acknowledges the dangers of mobile device use while driving, but doesn’t support House Bill 63 because they believe a texting ban would be very tough to enforce. Those sharing this opinion usually believe that a complete mobile device ban would be more effective than a texting ban.
- Others acknowledge that a texting ban is hard to enforce, but support the bill because it is a step in the right direction.
Currently, Texas law bans the use of wireless devices used by underage drivers and school bus drivers only. Former House Speaker Tom Craddick is presenting a bill that would make using wireless devices to read or text while driving in Texas a criminal offense. The exceptions would include texting when a vehicle is stopped or using the device for GPS, or to dial out.
A similar bill was passed by the House and Senate in 2011, but was vetoed by Governor Rick Perry, indicating that creating a distracted driving law would be just another way for the government to micro-manage the behaviors of adults and infringe on personal freedoms. Can education through Texas defensive driving courses really do the trick?
Former Speaker Tom Craddick and those in favor of the bill now have interesting statistics to answer to. For example, a northern Virginia Trade group conducted a study that reveals that 3 of the 4 states that have implemented a similar ban accident rates have actually increased, because drivers try to hide texting, causing further distraction.
The issue has made its way back to the forefront to the House Transportation committee. Whether the law is finally passed, rejected again, or apprehensively accepted just to get the legal ball rolling on the matter, we strongly encourage you to drive safely. Texting can wait!
