A bill was up for debate today concerning texting while driving. (SF231) The bill prohibits a person from texting or reading a text while driving a vehicle. It offers penalties for drivers who get caught or have an accident while texting.
First, I am a person that is against any law that takes away the right of a person. I am passionate about 2nd amendment rights and other personal rights. At first blush this goes against a person’s personal right. I can eat in the car while driving, I should be able to text?
The problem, we have had several deaths in Sioux county because of a driver texting. In one instance it killed the other driver in the car it hit. When others get hurt or killed because of someone not using common sense, it might be time to create policy. It is noted that a driver texting typically takes their eyes off the road for an ave. of 4-seconds.
It takes me about 4-hours via car to get back and forth from Des Moines each week. In this time I probably send, on average, 20-30 text messages. I also spend large amounts of time reading e-mails and other documents. Now, I am on the Interstate and watch that no cars are around me. However, I have had it numerous times that I get caught up in a text or e-mail and find myself in the middle of the road or hitting the rumble strips on the side. Each time I tell myself, this isn’t good!
I believe, the only way for me, and others, to stop texting or become detached from our Crack berries, is to have a law that bans them while driving. It is no longer about my personal rights; rather it’s about protecting other drivers from a person’s irresponsible action. These things have become an addiction. It’s has become a danger for all drivers that are around someone who is occupied by texting! (I know, we will not all agree on this topic, so lets agree to disagree, I don’t need to read manifestos from those that disagree, I fully understand the other side)