Texting and driving: a lethal mix
Kristin Dragos
Issue date: 9/21/09 Section: Opinion
An article on MSNBC.com bears the title "States give mixed signals on texting and driving." I read this and wonder, "How is it possible for people to give mixed signals about texting and driving?" Texting and driving is clearly dangerous. I don't understand how people can text while driving in the first place, but honestly, I have to say that the practice doesn't surprise me. I've seen people driving around with a newspaper sprawled out in front of them, covering the steering wheel. I've seen drivers with novels in hand while cruising down the highway and people with their dogs in their laps.
Many state transportation departments have begun to use Twitter feeds about traffic conditions, road closings and other potentially vital traffic information. Some have argued that this creates more problems because drivers can respond or ask questions about the conditions a mile or two ahead of where they are. Others have said that public input could be important to keeping the information current. Drivers could report accidents and traffic as it occurs. The part that seems inconsistent is that most states have set up laws banning texting while driving. If people are allowed to respond to these feeds about incidents as they drive, aren't the states encouraging texting?
I had a professor who said that he prefers to ride a bike to work every day because driving is much more dangerous, and I don't blame him. Technology is taking over a huge part of our lives. The most important part is being smart about when to let it interfere.
When people drive and text, they are not just putting themselves in danger, they put other drivers and pedestrians at risk. It's time that people start thinking about the consequences of their actions. Leave the books and newspapers for home and please check your Twitter, Facebook and everything else before you leave.
Many state transportation departments have begun to use Twitter feeds about traffic conditions, road closings and other potentially vital traffic information. Some have argued that this creates more problems because drivers can respond or ask questions about the conditions a mile or two ahead of where they are. Others have said that public input could be important to keeping the information current. Drivers could report accidents and traffic as it occurs. The part that seems inconsistent is that most states have set up laws banning texting while driving. If people are allowed to respond to these feeds about incidents as they drive, aren't the states encouraging texting?
I had a professor who said that he prefers to ride a bike to work every day because driving is much more dangerous, and I don't blame him. Technology is taking over a huge part of our lives. The most important part is being smart about when to let it interfere.
When people drive and text, they are not just putting themselves in danger, they put other drivers and pedestrians at risk. It's time that people start thinking about the consequences of their actions. Leave the books and newspapers for home and please check your Twitter, Facebook and everything else before you leave.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
nobody
posted 9/21/09 @ 10:53 AM CST
Bicycling is no safer than driving when drivers text and driving.
In September of 2006, 25 year old Matt Wilhelm was riding his bike on the shoulder of a road near Champaign, IL. (Continued…)
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