Texting and Driving- Banned by 19 States and More to Follow...

In 2008 6,000 people were killed in car crashes that involved a distracted or inattentive driver and over half a million were injured. These looming statistics have caused the US to create guidelines for states to create laws that will ban texting while driving.

Back in January a nationwide ban was issued by the Transportation Department for any commercial driver; including truckers and bus drivers to engage in texting while driving. Nineteen states including the District of Colombia have already banned texting while driving. California and New York are two of the seven states that have banned the use of handheld devices for any reason. Massachusetts is on its way to banning texting while driving right now. The bill was approved unanimously by the Massachusetts House and is waiting on approval by the Senate. The US has encouraged all states to enact laws that prohibit texting while driving.
Drivers pulled over for texting in states where it is banned could face a minimum fine of $75 and possible action against their driving privileges. In cases that result in serious injury or death the offender could be charged with a felony. Commercial drivers caught texting while driving could be subject to civil or criminal charges of up to $2,750.

According to the results of one study a driver’s reaction time is better when they’re drunk and driving (0.46seconds) versus when texting and driving (0.52 seconds) and both are better then when the driver is reading a text and driving (0.57). In other words; if a car is traveling at 35 mphs it will travel an extra 21 feet before the driver applies the brakes if he is reading a text and an extra 16 feet before applying the brakes if the driver is writing a text. The faster the car is going the more distance the car will cover before the brakes are applied.

There’s no question about it; texting while driving can be a very dangerous choice. If you must text; pull over. Some even recommend just turning your phone off when you get in the car so you will not be distracted by others texting or calling you and you won’t be tempted to text yourself. Texting and driving is joining the horrible ranks of driving under the influence (DUI) and drinking while intoxicated (DWI); it is now known as DWT.