Texting and Driving Law – are we really safer now?
Sep 11th, 2008 by Tim
Recently, MN implemented a law against text messaging while operating a motor vehicle, listing it as a primary offense and carrying up to a $300 fine.
Since that went into effect on Aug. 1, I have not noticed a decrease in the people I see texting or whatnot on their phone, I simply see more heads looking down at their laps with a BlackBerry or MotoQ buried between their legs.
When I do need to send a quick message, which is often faster than looking up a phone book entry, calling the person and hitting 9 options to get to a desk (seems like that is less time with your eyes on the road than “c u in 5 @ Chipotle”) I now take my eyes off the road more than before when I could keep the phone on the wheel, looking thru the phone to pay attention etc.
I can see how this might be useful for those with cellphones lacking a QWERTY keyboard and are still typing on T9 or one of the other multi-tap formats to spell out your message, but I know where my keys are and can type mostly without looking at the phone.
Also, in my experience, I become a more attentive driver when I text, because I’m aware I’m distracted, vs. talking with a passenger, singing along with the radio or daydreaming about the upcoming weekend.
I’ve gone my entire driving history without so much as even tapping another driver, and haven’t had a moving violation in a decade, and I do all of the above, knowing my limits and abilities. I will refrain from texting at all in inclimate weather as I realize that’s not too smart.
What it comes down to is a drivers ability to multi-task and stay focused. I agree those under 18 or even 21 should refrain from texting while driving.. Just last night, a kid on a bicycle rolled thru a stop sign and almost smacked the car in front of me. The kid was on his cellphone talking… Maybe he was 14? Now, mind you, I was following the GPS in my truck. (Same ideal as txting, it takes your primary focus off the road) Anyways, I digress..
In the end, its not about the authoritative thumb of government tightening that screw for our safety as a primary concern,because they should realize like any other law, people will skirt it. It’s a quick buck for the government if you get fined, and as other bloggers have noted, there is too great of an offset of drivers to enforcement officials to make this very effective. Also as I read elsewhere, I guess this doesn’t apply to the police staring at laptops while driving? – I will link the article when I get back to a computer.
I see the validity of this law for kids, new drivers and those who cannot execute the task of ‘tweening a big gulp, eating a burrito and driving at the same time, however for those of us that have a great deal of windshield time, its a judgement call. One more reason I’m looking forward to Wisconsin.
They should have made the law against improper driving for those people that cannot seem to get a handle on how to operate their automobile. Oh wait, they already have that law on the books.
This is nothing more than a “save the children” law that is pointless. Let’s stop making pointless and redundant laws just so that the prosecutor can add another count to the docket when someone is arrested for causing an accident.
This blog is being used as a part of the prompt for my school district’s English writing evaluation.
We have to analyze three documents and write an essay on the pros and cons of the texting laws as presented in them. This is one of the documents.
My sophomore friends and I were a little offended by reading your opinion of our poor driving skills. Please, do not act as though inexperience mixed with texting is the only situation in which a collision might happen. You are correct that ‘kids’ should not text while driving, but that’s because nobody should. “Having a great deal of windshield time” doesn’t mean that you have developed super human reaction skills.
And I agree that the law hasn’t stopped the texting while driving to a favorable extent. However, just because discreetly breaking the law is more dangerous than openly breaking it doesn’t mean it should be removed altogether. The law was made so drivers are discouraged from dangerous activities, and while teens should follow the law, adults like you should feel obliged to set the example. You don’t need to text while driving, ever. If it’s that big of a deal, pull over.
Your blog is only making people feel justified for breaking the law. You guys are all whiners, kind of like teens. [like me, right now] Stop texting while driving because of all the aforementioned reasons and because, frankly, it’s kind of pathetic to be that attached to your phone anyway.
I apologize that this is long, practically a rant and I don’t even know you. And I know you’re not the only person who feels this way, so don’t take it too personally. But I needed to make this point for the sake of all kids, texters and non-texters alike: Teens aren’t the only bad drivers. Adults need to be responsible too.
Student:
Thanks for the reply – No offense taken. If you were put off by my ‘lumping in’ of all young drivers, and you’ve got a spotless record, then good for you. – I’m noting the complete idiots that shouldn’t have a little drivers license because they can’t find a blinker, enjoy riding my trunk like it’s Daytona or other are craptastic drivers. That’s who this was aimed at, but as Bill said, it’s another pointless thing. – Why not have our enforcement officials (which I’ve recently contributed to) keep looking for the drunk drivers, the jaywalkers, and start collecting on all the small petty offenses that have been forgotten about for 20 years, instead of making up new petty things that will be forgotten about just Improper Lane Change, Failure to Signal Lane Change and oh, maybe Tailgating. – I value the back end of my gas guzzling SUV, and would prefer some jackass not cut me off, in a snowstorm and knowing they were in the wrong for jumping a curb, flick me off for being a safe driver, and not allowing the wanker to cut me off!
Anyways, – Student – If you’ve got a clean driving record, congrats, and keep it going. – Being a good driver isn’t learned from a book, it’s learned from driving, knowing your abilities as a driver, and knowing your vehicles abilities and the combination of the two to be a defensive driver and anticipating accidents. – Not sure if they still teach this, but I was instructed to keep an eye on the car directly ahead of you for brake lights, but look 2 or 3 cars up as well.
Well, i am doing a debate in my current events class of Mid-East career and technology centers in Zanesville Ohio. I agree with everything said about the texting while driving law. Most drivers do have the common sence to realize when the time is right. Observations are everything. If they cannot see that the weather or any kind of conditions are not suitable to be texting and driving; i feel they should not be allowed to be driving at all. A part of having a license is thinking on your feet in tough situations.
Katie:
Thanks for the agreement. I do see a need to ban it for drivers that just get a hard-card, weather a new driver, or an adult getting a lisc for whatever reason. It’s common sense, something too many people lack today.
Thanks for the comment!
hahahah I just have to laugh at you Tim, because the comment “it’s kind of pathetic to be that attached to your phone anyway!!” made me laugh histarically!!! All I could hear is “ribbit ribbit” in my head (or whatever funky noise that is your phone makes when messaged) LOL
I was also wondering if you had any reccomendations for my debate…I am for texting while driving and i am kind of running into problems finding recources that are also for my topic. I am also not finding anything positive on texting while driving…If you could help i would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Katie
hahaha you guys are funny. get used to it people text and drive.