Did you know that nearly 6,000 innocent lives are taken every year by those who are distracted by texting and driving and only thirty states have banned texting while driving. Texting and driving is not only is dangerous for those who are texting, but also creates danger for others around you.
Drivers who texts while driving think that they’re invincible and say, “That could never happen to me”. But here the one thing that don’t cross their minds, anything can happen in a matter of seconds, especially when you’re not watching the road. What text is so important that it can’t wait until you’re not driving? What text is worth risking the life of others or yourself? Does that text really mean more than living the rest of your life knowing you killed someone?
Texting is a huge part of our lives, which can be something many people, can agree on. Maybe you’re waiting on that text from the one you like, or from a friend making plans. But it can wait. There are no exceptions to texting and driving. It is beyond dangerous and your reactions are slower than someone who is drinking and driving.
Banning texting while driving will help wireless companies make profit. Although companies may lose a little profit, while texting decreases, the sales of Bluetooth, recording devices on certain phones, and other hands free devices will be sold.
Texting while driving should be banned in all states. No matter what your age is. Many are not sure of the reason why it hasn’t been banned. Some don’t care, and some don’t want it to be banned. Please consider thinking about it. You wouldn’t want you or someone you love to get hurt or possibly killed because of someone texting and not paying attention, would you?
Even though some of the states that banned texting and driving have not had a large decrease in car accidents, many believe that after a few months it will lower car accidents. People think this because it will take a while for people to realize the ban is really in effect. Once people start getting tickets for this they will not want to pay another ticket and they will stop texting and driving.
In 2008, 5,870 people died in accidents caused by texting and driving. (Texting while Driving Statistics, 2010) A 17 year old teen killed herself and four of her friends because of texting texting. A 40 year old mother was killed because an 18 year old girl was texting and crossed the center line. A 13 year old boy was hit on his bike by a man who was busy with his phone. This could happen to you, or someone you know.
Texting and driving has been proven to have more delay than a drunk driver. Texting while driving takes your eyes and mind off the road, and your hand off the wheel. If drunk drivers can be charged with a DUI, why can’t people who text and drive get a similar charge? Drunk drivers must either have a breathalyzer or a tag showing they have had DUI’s before. Why can’t drivers who are caught texting and driving have a tag showing others what they did wrong, that would make others not want to have the same embarrassment.
Whether you lose someone to drunk driving or texting, isn’t it the same thing? They’re both a distraction, and both are extremely dangerous. Which makes many of us wonder why drunk driving is illegal everywhere and texting while driving is not? If texting while driving is dangerous, why are the people and the government being so hesitant about banning it? They would be saving many lives if they did so.
If someone was texting and driving, got pulled over for it and fined. It would teach them a lesson. Paying for their mistake would make them want to stop and possibly persuade others not to text and drive.
Even though many want to put this ban in place, there are a few who oppose to it. Those who do oppose it believe that it would violate their freedom of speech. They feel as though it would violate their personal life and how and when they communicate with others.
Whenever walking in public, we see many men and women dressed in suits and talking on their phone or texting. Chances are they are in some type of business that requires a lot of communication between them and their company. Since so many people rely on their Blackberrys or Smartphones for business, the ban against texting and driving would effect their communication between themselves and work.
Many phone companies support the ban on texting and driving because it will make the roads safer for other drivers and pedestrians. Those who drive a lot and text might lower their texting plan, if the ban is put into place, since they will not be texting as much. Those on pre-paid plans will not send as many texts; therefore the companies may lose a little bit of profit.
This issue wouldn’t be so big if lives weren’t at risk. Even though this ban would effect few people, such as business owners and cell phone carriers, it would be selfish not to. We need to think of all the lives that have been taken by distracted drivers, and think of a way we could lower the rates. If the ban is passed, we could be saving thousands of lives.
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