Abstract
Automobile crashes as a result of texting while driving is an epidemic that has taken our nation by storm over the past decade. Whether people think they can safely type on their phone while driving, or just don’t think there is any real danger in the act does not matter. Texting while driving must be stopped. To do this our government must take action to both add uniformity to the laws and punishments bestowed on the offenders. But, it is also vital that the government provide ample educational programs in order to spread the message about the dangers of tapping the keyboard while behind the wheel.
“Where u at” – These were the simple last words that Mariah West, a senior in high school who was one day away from graduation, saw in this world. On that fateful summer night, she was texting her friend on the way to the baseball game she was planning on attending. As she looked down at her phone to read the new text message, she lost control of her car, which proceeded to slide across the median, hit a bridge, and kill the young girl with a bright future. Officer Grant Hendrix of the Missouri State Highway Patrol was one of the first to arrive on the scene. He later described the horrific scene to reporters saying, “When I got to the scene, her face was disfigured from sliding down the roadway… Lying in the roadway in a large pool of blood I noticed her shoes and I thought this is a young girl. That’s the first thing I thought when I saw this. And at that point was when I noticed her cap and gown was still in her car. She was going to graduate the next day. It was just a really horrific scene all because of a senseless text message. It’s just sad, sorry, it’s just sad (“Texting While Driving Stories & Accidents”)
Texting and driving is one of the largest epidemics to sweep our nation. The progression of text messaging, with more capable phones and larger numbers of people engaging than ever before, has turned into one of the largest distractions in our world. People are constantly fixated on their phones, checking Twitter, Facebook and text messages. The use of a cell phone while driving is extremely distracting and dangerous to the person behind the wheel, and everyone else on the road as well. Every year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of using their cell phone while behind the wheel. This statistic is expected to grow as much as 4% every year. But, this is not just a problem among teen drivers. One-fifth of adult drivers in the United States also report sending text messages while driving (“Cell Phone & Texting Accidents”). To combat this problem, the United States government much take a stronger stance and pass legislation that unifies texting while driving laws and punishments, as well as installing much more education about the dangers of texting behind the wheel to convey the much needed message to the future drivers of the United States.
Currently, thirty-five states have enacted complete bans on texting for all drivers. Another seven have banned it from novice drivers, or those who have their license but are under the age of eighteen, with three more banning it for only school bus drivers (”Map of Texting Bans”). This leaves seven more states that have no ban at all. All of these numbers must be changed by a unified, national ban on texting while driving. The National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, recommended this past December that there should be a national ban on all cell phone use inside vehicles, even hands free devices. This law would be much stricter than any current state law, and a drastic step towards vehicular safety. Chairman Deborah Hersman said of the new recommendation by the board, “We’re not here to win a popularity contest. No email, no text, no update, no call is worth a human life.” (Lowy). A law banning all use of cell phones would cause dissatisfaction within certain members of the American population, as it would cause the need for complying to a completely new rule that is combatting what has become ingrained behavior for many Americans. But, any law that bans texting while driving would undoubtedly save hundreds of American lives. Each year, six thousand deaths and half a million injuries are caused by distracted drivers (“Cell Phone & Texting Accidents”). A national ban on texting while driving would aid in cutting this number down immediately.
As well as unifying laws against texting behind the wheel, the United States must make sure that the sanctions for violating such a law are strong enough to deter drivers from typing while driving. Massachusetts has some of the strictest texting while driving sanctions in the country and should be a model for others to follow. In the state of Massachusetts, any novice driver found to be texting while driving is subject to a $100 fine, a sixty day license suspension, and a required attendance of a “driver attitudinal retraining course.” The penalties only increase for minors. A second violation is punished by a 180 day license suspension and $250 fine, and for a third violation the driver’s license is suspended for an entire year and the fine is $500. For adults in the state of Massachusetts, a first violation carries a penalty of a $100 dollar fine. The sanctions increase for subsequent offenses as well, with the second violation calling for a $250 fine and the third and subsequent violations carrying $500 fines each. Violators are also punished severely if they cause an accident while texting behind the wheel (Chretien). Some states, such as California and Virginia only have fines of $20 for breaking their texting while driving laws (“Texting While Driving Legislation”). Imposing only a fine of such low monetary value does not properly convey the seriousness of the offense or work strongly enough to deter drivers from putting their phones down while driving. In order to properly unify, enforce, and deter texting while driving punishment for breaking the law should be uniform across the country, using the model that Massachusetts has already set.
People opposed to texting while driving bans and stricter punishments argue that it is not the federal government’s job to enact such legislation and it is taking away from both individual and states’ rights. They claim that Washington has more to worry about than micromanaging the states. While it is usually the fifty states’ job to create laws such as drinking age, school funding, and many road laws, the federal government already has a major part in the way these laws look. When it comes to the safety of the nation, it is the federal government’s job to protect its citizens by enacting legislation that will do so. As Ron Richardson of the North Florida Safety Council said, “We need something. I hate to see Big Brother get involved but Big Brother has to protect everybody” (Heller).
Although it is very important that the United States takes action to unify and strictly enforce texting while driving laws, it is even more paramount that strong educational programs are made both available and mandatory to prospective drivers. As David Coursey of PC World states, “We need, right now, a national education campaign, like our anti-drunk driving efforts, to tell people forcefully that there is no totally safe way to use a cellular telephone while driving. And that texting while driving, using current technology, is incredibly dangerous. Period” (Coursey). The United States’ government must take as clear of a stance on the issue as Mr. Coursey. Undoubtedly, drunk driving is another extremely large contributing factor in many deaths each year. From the time one learns what a car is, one is taught that it is very dangerous and should never be done. The same must be done in the United States regarding texting and driving education.
Currently, one of the only programs in place is run by a private company. AT&T, a major cell phone carrier, has taken a large progressive step forward by launching its “It Can Wait” campaign. The campaign’s aim is to provide facts, statistics, and stories, while also using a very emotionally provoking documentary film to encourage kids to pocket their phones while behind the wheel. Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary said in an AT&T press release, “Distracted driving is an epidemic, particularly among teens who are confident in their ability to text or talk while driving. Of the 5,500 people killed last year due to distracted driving, the largest proportion of fatalities occurred among young people under the age of 20. I hope teens will take this powerful video to heart and realize that when you’re behind the wheel, no text message or phone call is worth the risk” (Flores).
The fact that the United States Transportation Secretary is strongly backing the “It Can Wait” campaign, set forth by AT&T, is a positive sign but more must be done to provide students with exposure to the presentation around the country. In order to accomplish this, it is imperative that the government set guidelines and provide support for this program or install one of their own. Regarding the “It Can Wait” campaign, the government should enact legislation to provide funding so the program can grow and reach every high school in America. Bumper stickers handed out in driver’s education classes are no longer cutting it. By spreading the message through these strong presentations, the number of fatalities as a result of texting while driving would indisputably decline. Without such education, a young driver may think: “No biggie, it only takes two or three seconds to fire off this text” (Flores). But, an educator on distracted driving would respond with questions such as, “Well, did you also know that you can easily cover 190 feet of road in just two-seconds at 65 miles per hour? And what do you think your reaction time is if you spotted danger just 50-100 feet away? Or how long it would take your car to stop or change directions in time?”(Flores). Exposing students to facts such as this while they are still early drivers should be a top priority in a young driver’s education.
To further education on texting while driving, the government should make it mandatory to attend a two hour class on distracted driving, primarily focussing on texting, and pass the subsequent quiz. Prospective drivers already have to pass a written quiz on the rules of the road to obtain their learner’s permit, so adding another quiz on safe driving is not far fetched. Driver’s education is currently taught in schools around the country, as well as through various independent driving schools. But, this education focuses on technique and rules that one must follow on the road. By mandating a further class on distracted driving and its effects, driver’s education would come full circle, providing them with the knowledge to be both informed and safe drivers. Having this as part of the government’s policy to receive a learner’s permit or temporary license would force the United States’ new drivers to pay attention during their pre-driving education, so it would not be wasted government spending. Putting their ability to drive as a reward for doing so would be great incentive for the prospective drivers to learn about the dangers of being distracted behind the wheel, which is the most important thing to know before sitting in the driver’s seat.
The dangers of distracted driving, specifically texting while driving, cost thousands of Americans their lives every year. The number has steadily increased as texting has become increasingly popular. Presently, the fifty states also have their own respective laws regarding policy and punishment when it comes to texting while driving, many of which are not a strong enough deterrent to force people to put their phones down. Due to these ominous facts, it is imperative that the United States’ government takes strong action against the rising epidemic. In order to effectively diminish the amount of texting while driving deaths, it is necessary that the federal government pass legislation that will unify laws against and strengthen punishment for texting while driving. The new laws must also include all ages, not just young drivers, because distracted driving affects everyone’s ability to drive safely. It should also no longer be a question when and where texting behind the wheel is illegal. Every state should have the same exact laws against texting. The punishments must also be stiffened, forcing people to reach deeper into their pockets if caught texting. A heftier fine, as well as license suspension would be a strong deterrent for people to keep their fingers off the keypad. Besides new laws against texting while driving, it is also vital that the government provide strong education programs thoroughly describing the dangers of all types of distracted driving, specifically focusing on texting. Making it a requirement to pass a mandatory distracted driving class is the final step in ensuring that our country understands the horrific danger that can occur simply from reading “Where u at.”
Works Cited
“Cell Phone & Texting Accident Statistics.” Cell Phone Accident Statistics and Texting While Driving Facts. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cell-phone/statistics.html>.
Chretien, Karen. “Stiff Fines, Penalties for Texting While Driving Begin Thursday.” The Daily Item: Your Independent North Shore Newspaper since 1877. Covering Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Revere, Saugus and Swampscott, MA. 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://itemlive.com/articles/2010/09/28/news/news03.txt>.
Coursey, David. “Banning Texting While Driving Will Help, Education Is Key.” PCWorld, 31 July 2009. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/169391/banning_texting_while_driving_will_help_education_is_key.html>.
Flores, Mark. “AT&T Announces It Can Wait Campaign on the Dangers of Text Messaging and Driving.” IntoMobile, 27 Dec. 2010. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://www.intomobile.com/2010/12/27/att-text-messaging-driving-danger/>.
Heller, David. “Ban Proposed on Texting, Talking on Cell Phones While Driving.” First Coast News, 14 Dec. 2011. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://www.firstcoastnews.com/rss/article/231294/4/goes%20with%20Jeannie’s%206pm%20pkg%20today>.
Lowy, Joan. “National Texting While Driving Ban: U.S. Urges No Cell Phones, No Texting While Driving.” The Huffington Post, 31 Dec. 2011. Web. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/14/national-texting-while-driving-ban_n_1147909.html>.
“Map of Texting Bans.” Iihs.org. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Mar. 2012. Web. <http:/www.iihs.org/laws/maptextingbans.aspx>.
“Texting While Driving Legislation.” Text and Drive with the Text’n Drive Mobile Application. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://www.textndrive.com/textingwhiledriving.php>.
“Texting While Driving Stories & Accidents | AT&T Corporate Responsibility.” AT&T. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://www.att.com/gen/corporate-citizenship?pid=19917>.