According to
recent statistics 39 out of 50 states prohibit all drivers from sending text
messages while driving. In some Texas cities, like Austin, cell phones have
already been banned.
The Austin American
Statesman published the article “House Approves Statewide Ban on Texting WhileDriving” on April 17th, 2013. I have to say that I am utterly
shocked that this has not been a statewide law thus far and I cannot believe
that Rick Perry turned this very bill down two years ago. It is more than
obvious that texting while driving is just plain dangerous. It only takes one
quick second to look at your text message, but in this quick second you can
cause a quick accident that could even be fatal. By texting while driving you
are not only putting yourself at risk but other drivers as well. It is simply
irresponsible to “play” with your phone in whatever shape or form while you are
operating a vehicle. Your hands should be on the steering wheel and your eyes
should be on the road. Text messages can wait until you reach your destination
or if it’s really that important have the decency to pull over and not put your
own life and that of others at risk. I completely agree with state Rep. Tom
Craddick that this bill is all about “public safety and saving lives.”
Furthermore, I agree that hands free devices should be allowed so long the
driver’s eyes stay on the road. Texting is by far on of the biggest distractions
since you actually have to look at your phone in order to write a text message.
According to
Rick Perry “the key to dissuading drivers from texting while driving is
information and education, not government micromanagement.” I would have to
disagree with this. On the one hand, it is important to educate people and provide
information on this issue, but on the other hand I strongly believe that
without a law banning texting while driving people would keep doing it thinking
they could get away with it. I am confident that this bill would be the only
way to prevent this. Critics say that “a ban on texting while driving would
make it too easy for police officers to pull over Texans.” I say it’s a good
thing – maybe people will start being more careful. And let’s face it, it is
already too easy for the police to pull someone over.
All in all, I think it would be a really smart move for the
Senate to approve this bill and hopefully Rick Perry will start grasping the
importance of this bill as well. After all, like Craddick says it is about “public
safety and saving lives” which to me that is reason enough to pass this bill.
I read the blog, "Driving While Intexticated," where the writer discusses the topic of texting while driving in Texas. They strongly believe that it should not be allowed anywhere in Texas and I agree.
ReplyDeleteI like how the blog starts off with the statistic and the information about the ban because it caught my attention. The blog is well organized and easy to follow. It discusses the topic, her opinion, and the also the views of others with her input as well. I agree that texting and driving is very dangerous and should be banned everywhere, not just Austin. No text is ever going to be as important as the life of yourself or anyone else's that you put in danger while texting and driving. Even being around people texting while driving makes me nervous. When I'm driving and see a car constantly swerving in and out of their lane, it has always been because they were texting and didn't even realize it. I do disagree with her statement on the hands free devices though. Even though the driver's hands are still on the steering wheel and their eyes are on the road, they are still going to be distracted from the device. It could even make response time slower if something were to happen because they weren't fully paying attention to what was going on around them. As for the being pulled over part of the blog, I think it would end texting and driving faster than just educating would. People are told how dangerous it is and I'm sure they see all of the new ads and commercials about it everyday, yet there are still plenty of people doing it. If they get pulled over and punished, I bet they would think twice before doing it again, which could stop them from hurting themselves or someone else in the future.
Overall, the writer did well writing the editorial. Their opinion was supported by reasons and facts and it was short and to the point.
The blog, "Driving While Intextiacted," makes a whole lot of sense. While reading my classmate's blog, Driving While Intexticated, I was nodding my head in agreement and frustration that this law hasn't become in effect statewide. How can such a hard headed governor not see the urgency with this law? He surely doesn't disagree with the strict DUI laws in the state of Texas. Why is that? Well everyone, including Mr. Perry, knows that it is a risk to everyone on the road to be near a drunk driver. Well, what about texting on your cell phone while driving on the highway!? One has to take his or he eyes of the road and at least one hand off the steering well to have their conversations. Isn't this just as dangerous to everyone else? If we can't count on our own governor to enforce such common sense restrictions and laws then how can we expect the rest of society to take it seriously? When an unfortunate accident takes place? Perhaps it will take a text messaging related wreck to hit home with Rick Perry to take this seriously. I just don't get it, nor do I get him in the first place! There are several silly laws and restrictions throughout the state, but something as serious as this is not taken seriously. People may argue that regardless of a law that people will still continue to text while driving, yes this is true, but drunk driving is against the law, and yet, people still drive drunk. These people go to jail when they are caught. We can't control society, but we can enforce laws to at least protect the innocent bystanders.
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