OUR OPINION: Shift ban on texting into high gear

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Last week’s blizzard curbed state Senate action on a bill to expand the prohibition on texting while driving in Missouri.

Now that streets have been cleared and the legislative session has reopened, it’s time for lawmakers to shift this proposal into high gear.

Senators last week gave first round approval to a measure prohibiting all motorists from texting — or, in the language of lawmakers, sending and reading text messages on hand-held communications devices while driving.

The proposal would expand the prohibition that now covers only those drivers under age 21.

While it may be ironic that the existing law applies only to the group of people perhaps most adept at the practice, it also indicates the overall danger of the texting while driving.

In the realm of driver distractions, texting ranks near the top.

Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, cited a Car and Driver report that found texting while driving three times more dangerous than driving at the legal intoxication limit of .08 percent blood alcohol content.

In addition, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation website, www.distraction.gov:

• Among fatalities in distracteddriving crashes, 18 percent involved a cell phone. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

• Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

Mixing driving with distractions is a lethal combination, particularly when the distraction requires diversion of eyes, hands and concentration.

Operating a motor vehicle is not a secondary activity. Driving is a privilege that requires motorists to obey the rules of the road and observe safe practices.

Texting while driving already has injured and killed too many people. To protect the motoring public, disconnect this deadly practice.

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rock1853 2 years, 3 months ago

We need gov't regulation for this.

fultonian 2 years, 3 months ago

I don't think there is anyone out there who would disagree that texting while driving is a horrible practice. But I will say I have a hard time seeing how this law can be enforced. People should be educated about why it's a stupid practice so they are making the decisions for the right reasons.

Bucky 2 years, 3 months ago

And you would say to the families of someone who was killed by a texting driver what? Sorry, the other driver did something stupid (but not illegal, cause we don't want to create a law about that). No, I think criminal negligent behavior should be criminalized.

Of course I know I will be in the minority on this forum, but that is the way I feel.

Texting and driving is every bit as dangerous as drinking and driving. It should have the same consequences. It is behavior that says you don't care about innocent lives.

fultonian 2 years, 3 months ago

Maybe you should read my comment before you make a post about it. I never said it shouldn't be criminalized, I said I don't see how it can be enforced. I think the community would be better served with education on the matter to prevent these accidents instead of laws that punish people after the fact. I don't see a problem making it a law, but I don't think most people will stop texting a driving just because the law says so.

Bucky 2 years, 3 months ago

Perhaps they wouldn't, however investigation can show if the person was texting at the time of the accident, just like they can find out if a person has alcohol in their blood stream. This information can be used to prosecute if it is against the law. Accidents happen to the best of people and if it is just an accident, I would not want a person to be prosecuted. But if they are acting with careless disregard, such as texting or drinking and driving, then I would like an avenue for prosecution.

And yes, if a cop sees you driving down the road texting, he can tell. I have seen people texting and driving myself. And they can prove that you were texting by subpoenaing your phone records.

fultonian 2 years, 3 months ago

Oh yes! What an excellent use of our police officers and government resources. Bring in the CSI team to find out if someone was texting or just looking at their phone's calendar, or dialing a number to call someone. That's worth all the time it takes to get a court order to search someone's phone records and check their phone's memory! Meanwhile criminals are breaking into resturaunts downtown and the local food bank! But by God they better not be texting and driving!

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