Ban on texting behind wheel needs expansion
Published 5:00 am Monday, April 20, 2009
Teenagers learning to drive will soon have a new prohibitionwhen they get behind the wheel.
A new law taking effect July 1 will ban young drivers withlearning permits and those with intermediate licenses from textingwhile driving. The new law is very much needed since those learningto drive need to have their full attention on the road – with theirhands on the steering wheel and fingers nowhere near a cell phonekeypad.
The fine for texting while driving is $500, and up to $1,000 ifan accident is involved. The new law also raises by six months theminimum age to 16 years old for unsupervised driving.
From our standpoint, the new law addresses a dangerous behaviorand has the potential to instill safer driving habits in youngmotorists.
The only drawback we see is that perhaps the new law doesn’t gofar enough.
Older drivers are also prone to texting distractions, althoughthose type-talk instances are more likely to be business orparental messages than chit chat and gossip. Mississippi HighwayPatrol Troop M Public Affairs Officer Sgt. Rusty Boyd has a similarview.
“I have to stress that text messaging for anyone in the vehiclewhile you’re moving is very dangerous, and you’re risking a seriousaccident,” Boyd said last week while discussing the teen drivertexting ban.
Operating a vehicle is one of the most dangerous things thatthousands of people do on a daily basis. From speeding to otherdistractions – such as eating or talking on a cell phone – thepotential for disaster is always present.
Law enforcement officials are a little unsure how they will beenforcing the texting ban once it takes effect. With the practicebeing somewhat difficult to spot, it’s possible texting ticketscould be an add-on citation whenever other traffic violations arespotted.
Enforcing the texting ban, though, will acclimate officers to beon the lookout for the soon-to-be illegal behavior. With thatexperience under their belt, it would be a small step forauthorities to widen their vision to prohibit adults from textingwhile driving.
For improved safety on the roadway and one less distractionbehind the wheel, state lawmakers should consider taking the nextlogical step and expand the texting ban to all drivers.