Opinion: Texting while driving: Will those who do it ever stop?
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My guess is no. I, admittedly, am guilty of texting while driving. And about five years ago this habit of mine resulted in the totaling of my car. Yes, my fault. And yes, stupid, I know. I was 17 years old, a brand new driver stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic less than a mile from my house. I was texting and not paying any attention (the two go together) and pressed the gas instead of the brake, ramming my bright teal land yacht (a 1996 Chrysler LHS) underneath the big pickup truck in front of me.
You would think that with that accident I learned my lesson. Au contraire. I still text while driving because it’s convenient. Perhaps this reflects the social culture of a generation founded upon the notion that none of us can be out of touch for more than a few minutes. Texting, for many of us, is our main tool of communication. It’s a little sad that we prefer typing to talking, but it’s often fastest way to get across a quick message, let someone know when you’ll meet them or give directions (since now on most phones you can copy and paste an address into a GPS program).
If texting while driving becomes a federal offense, as the editorial board hopes it will, I’m not sure that would stop me any more than the current state ban on texting does. Enforcement would be difficult, as most perpetrators keep their phones on their laps anyway. I’m surprised that hand-held cell phone usage has dropped so dramatically since the ban went into affect last summer, because I don’t know anyone who has been given a ticket for it.
If the laws are not enforced, simply being ‘illegal’ is not enough of a deterrent to stop talking or texting while driving. It’s become too much of a way of life for me and my peers. Sure, there are hands-free devices that would keep me out of trouble in one respect, but ironically I’ve noticed myself texting in the car even more now that talking is banned. And texting, I believe, is far more dangerous. Trust me from experience.
I agree with the board that the best way to change this potentially dangerous behavior is through a high-profile campaign of public service announcements. The United Kingdom has started disseminating gory videos that simulate the nightmarish consequences of texting and driving ... (insert doomsday soundtrack here). Jesting aside, tactics like this are far more effective than once-in-a-blue-moon enforcement and puny fines. You could use me as a poster child: ‘Look what could happen to your car if you text while driving.’