Your Final Text Message

Do you own a cell phone? Is it used hands-free when driving? Do you text while driving? Data regarding texting while driving indicates a major increase in activity over the last few years. Even though states are implementing laws against texting and driving, teens, as well as adults, continue the habit. Texting should be banned in all fifty states for all age drivers because it is a major distraction to the driver, it is a major cause of vehicular accidents, and is becoming as dangerous as drunk driving.

Today, it is estimated that over 80 percent of Americans own cell phones. Cell phones can be found in the possession of children as young as eight years old. With the younger generation, one of the most popular ways to communicate is through text messages. Texting, also known as SMS (Short Message Service), is defined as the sending or receiving of short messages from one mobile phone to another. Although no state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, thirty states have some type of law pertaining to texting and driving. Some states allow the use of hands free calling, and some restrict cell phone use because of age.

Texting while driving is a major distraction for all drivers regardless of their age. Every day drivers are preoccupied at the wheel because they may be driving and eating food, talking on the phone, reading the newspaper, drinking coffee, or putting on makeup. However, texting while driving is by far more distracting than any of the above. Texting is a distraction for the mind, eyes, and at least one hand, which are all needed for driving. Even focusing on a cell phone for a split second can be enough to cause an accident. There is much concern that too many inexperienced drivers, especially new teenage drivers, are distracted by cell phone use while driving, but that is the generation who does the most texting. Regardless of age or inexperience, the distractions of texting while driving should be avoided.

Law enforcement agencies consider texting while driving just as bad an offense as driving while under the influence of alcohol. Nearly 50 percent of all teenagers admit that they text while driving. As a result, texting and driving now competes with drinking and driving because they are both very dangerous. Since texting while driving requires direct participation from the driver, it impairs the driver’s abilities in the same way as drinking and driving does. The dangers that come with texting and driving are not worth the risks.

In my opinion, states should look at the statistics and see that texting and driving is a major problem. Different states should take action and try to protect their occupants. Sadly, though most people will agree that sending text messaging while driving is extremely dangerous and very distracting, they continue to do it anyway. Laws should be put into place to decrease the number of people texting and driving. Although it will not prevent everyone from doing so, this law would help keep the drivers more alert and the roads safer.