Austin is one of the cities that
prohibit texting while driving. However,
Texas State and Local Government should take it one step further and ban all
cell phone use when driving any
motor vehicle at all times.
Distracted driving continues as a local hot
issue in Texas. Cell phone use increases significant concerns about safety when
driving. There has been countless crash and fatality data that prove cell
phones are a contributing factor. Texas has banned all cellphone usage while
driving in school zones, drivers younger than 18 and to bus drivers that have
passengers 17 years and younger present. If it’s important not to be on the
phone in school zones because of safety then it should be just as important, if
not more, to be off of your cell phone when you’re driving 65+ MPH on the
highway, on the busy feeder roads or in your local neighborhoods.
In my opinion
when this issue is brought up people forget about the safety concerns that are
connected because they feel like they are being told what to do. However, if
Texas passed a law prohibiting all cell phone use while driving then we would
see a significant decrease in car accident and car related fatalities. We
should be responsible for being 100% aware of our surroundings when operating a
motor vehicle because it only takes driving 30 MPH to have a fatal accident.
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ReplyDeleteMs. Contreras brought up some great points when it comes to having your full divided attention on the road. I agree with what she wrote for the most part that texting and driving can be dangerous and deadly.
ReplyDeleteMobile devices are very popular in this modern time and we can all agree that they have lead to an increase of car crashes over the years. Distracted driving is becoming a problem and I do agree that something should be done. This is comming from a person that has recently totaled his car and have had to face the consequences from becoming victim of a dreadful text message. This being said, I am fully aware of how dangerous and fatal it is to not have your full attention on the road. However, I do believe that technology has approved over the years and that there are better safe methods to using the cell phone while driving. Though texting and driving can be still very reckless, I don't think Texas should ban all use of mobile devices. I think that with the simple use of a bluetooth or handsfree headphone device, it will eliminate any reason for anyone to look down at their phone to become destracted. I'm not saying that everyone is great at multitasking, but talking and driving is less dangerous than texting while driving.
Banning texting should be done in Texas and not just in school zones. Texas should also require the use of a hands-free device when using cell phones. This I'm sure would reduce accidents and fatal crashes due to distracted driving. Overall I do agree with Ms. Contreras that everyone is responsible for being aware of their surroundings, and that Texas should do something to prevent distracted driving.
Okay. I admit it. I am absolutely shameless when it comes to talking—and even texting—while driving. I suppose that after more than a decade behind the wheel, motoring, for me, has become a commonplace activity with which I maintain a fallaciously casual relationship. Unfortunately, many other individuals(whether they own up to it or not) have fallen prey to the same concept, and, regularly engage in a vast array of distractions, ranging from eating, to makeup application, to wireless phone usage, while zipping down the roadways. The result? A big bunch of dangerous missiles in the shapes of automobiles, powered by inattentive operators, bouncing off of each other in relatively innocuous fender benders, or (in darker moments) exacting tragedy through fatal accidents.
ReplyDeleteDespite my own egregious failings in the area of wireless phone usage while driving, I am aware of its implications and have to agree with Cara Contreras when she asserts in her April 3, 2012 blog submission that Texas lawmakers should completely prohibit wireless phone usage while operating a vehicle. Ms. Contreras deftly backs up her argument by proposing that since Texas has already outlawed phone usage in settings such as school zones, the State should also ban it in the event of highway driving when people are traveling at much higher rates of speed, making more horrific accidents a distinct possibility. The specter of a hefty fine (a la the Texas seat belt law) would most likely do wonders with regards to controlling the number of individuals talking/texting while driving. I know that the idea of needlessly kissing goodbye $400 motivates me to buckle up every time I hit the road.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello there, Cara
ReplyDeleteYou explained why using your cell phone, while driving is dangerous. I have to agree with you 100 percent. I don't think anyone, no matter how good of a driver you are, should be talking or texting while driving. They're endangering everyone in their paths. It shouldn't matter how fast you're driving either, because you could still injure someone or even end someone's life. The state of Texas should ban all use of cell phones while driving immediately. In my opinion, with this new law, like the author said, we would see a significant change in motor vehicle accidents.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% on this issue. Austin being one of the top liberal cities in the state should definitely bring this issue up and say why banning cell phone use is a must. As other's have stated, it does not matter how good of a driver you are, if you are distracted for one second that can be enough to cause a fatal accident. Not to mention all the bicyclist that are riding around town now, it just makes fatal accidents that much simpler.
I agree with Cara when she states that prohibiting the
ReplyDeleteuse of cell phones while driving. I, myself used to be
an avid texter. I would make important phone calls, make
cell phone payments, check my account balance, all while
driving. However one day I was randomly going through
videos on youtube and saw a video of a girl that passed
away in a car accident, no harm done to anyone else but
her all because she texted one word "yeah" to her sister.
That made me realize, wow only one word and her car was
wrapped around a pole? Here I am downloading apps, texting
directions, saying I am on my way, etc. Since seeing that
I have limited my usage and if it is important or has to
be a done, I usually pull over, because I do not want to
be like that girl.
I do think that even with the law people are still going
to do it though. It is just like texting, you know it is
prohibited but i guarantee you since that law, most everyone
has sent at least one text while driving. Whether it is
at a light, while on the move, it is still behind the
wheel and that person is not giving 100% attention to the
road. Even though it would be like any law, still broken
by many, I do think it is a step in the right direction.