There is a bill that was proposed in South Carolina states that if convicted of texting and driving you could face up to a $250 fine or up to 30 days in jail along with a suspension of your license. Also a second offence could mean a fine of $1000 or 60 days in jail with a 60 suspension of your driver’s license with two points on your driver’s license (Post Par 5). If this passes it could help some people and maybe make others think twice before texting and driving but they will have problems actually proving that the person was texting while they were driving because the police would need a warrant to check the drivers phone and if the driver had a passenger they could argue that they didn’t text the passenger did. These are the reasons making laws against texting and driving is very difficult.
My solution might be a little far fetched but it might possible work the problem at hand. This does involve a few laws but a different way to approach it. We should make a new law that says all phone companies and manufactures in that make phones for the US so if the phone is traveling over a 15 mph that the phone becomes locked and if you are a passenger there are ways of turning it off but it takes focus. There would also be a law that says if you are pulled over for texting and driving the police have the right to check the log on your phone to see if it was unlocked while driving and can then give you a ticket based on the speed you were going and how long the phone was unlocked. With this in place I feel we could decrease the fatality rate and collision rate substantially.
There are many people that are apposed to have any laws against texting and driving because they feel it is a person choose to make the decision to text or not to text but the fact is that if the crash the likelihood that it is a one car crash is very low and if they had a passenger they could get hurt too. There also has been some talk about hands free talk to text phone systems. Well as a person that has that system it does involve you to look at the screen to make sure that it is correct and that it sent.
In all I feel my solution could potentially fix the problems we are having with the laws that are set in place for the problem of texting and driving. As long as we can get the lawmakers, police force, and cell phone manufactures on board then we can hopefully save many more lives. Next time you are driving and get a text will you think twice about responding?
Work cited http://gpssystems.net/texting-dangerous-driving/ http://handsfreeinfo.com/kansas-cell-phone-laws-legislation http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130325/PC16/130329547 This is not how it will stay!
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Provide Customer Service, Receive and disburse money, Operate a cash register, Answer customers' questions, Compute and record totals of transactions, Greet customers, Maintain clean and orderly checkout area, Process merchandise returns and exchanges, Resolve customer complaints, Balance cash register, Sell products or services, Price merchandise, Provide Customer Service, Receive and disburse money, Operate a cash register, Answer customer questions, Compute and record totals of transactions, Greet customers, Maintain clean and orderly checkout area, Process merchandise returns and exchanges, Resolve customer complaints, Balance cash register, Sell products or services and Price merchandise…
- 298 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
How many people text behind the wheel of their vehicle? Can we relate to the following story? Jaci Lemons* is driving down the street, headed to school. The 17 year old driver is texting another friend. As she looks down to read the incoming text, Jaci veers off to the right and crashes head-on into the back of a parked vehicle. She is taken to the hospital, but after brief examination by the attending ER doctor, Jaci is released. Thankfully, the only thing bruised is her pride, and her pocketbook. Missouri should make texting while driving illegal for all drivers, not just the drivers aged 21 and under. Missouri has passed a state law, on Aug. 28, 2009, that prohibits drivers 21 years of age or younger from sending or reading a text while driving. While that is a great start, it isn't enough. Drivers across the country have been seen in their vehicles doing all sorts of dangerous, weird, and downright strange things while driving. Watching a DVD movie (really), dressing, putting on makeup, eating, texting, etc; but texting is what is causing legislatures some concern here in Missouri. The problem is we spend so many hours behind the wheel that seemingly, we are driving on "auto pilot". (Have you ever driven a while and then could not remember any of it?)…
- 892 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
On February 9, 2011, little Enzo Williams was traveling with his mother, father and his older sister, they had approached a red light and were at a complete stop waiting for the light to turn green, when from out of nowhere a SUV driving at a high rate of speed driven by Sydney Wright smashed into the back of their vehicle. Sydney Wright was texting what was claimed to be a short text message and took the life of this innocent little boy. Enzo’s mother, father, and sister walked away from the wreck as did the driver of the other vehicle Sydney. Enzo suffered a bruised windpipe and a skull fracture; he was transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital where he lived for two short days. He was unable to recover from his injuries, he was 6 months old.…
- 445 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Every day we witness multiple tragic accidents involving people texting and driving. In my paper I will be arguing that the state of Minnesota should act boldly to create tougher laws on texting and driving offenders, and also create laws to ban people from using hands-free cell phones in their vehicle unless needed for an emergency. Also it is to be determined the meaning of texting and driving, the people involved, the laws needed to enforce it, which is affected when someone is injured or killed; and what is being done about it.…
- 707 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The number of people who have been affected by texting and driving is dramatically increasing. Clearly the laws, punishments, and education up to this point have not done much to change how people view texting and driving. Due to the facts that have been revealed about texting and driving, it is imperative that the government takes strong action to fight this rising epidemic. Although it may be near impossible to keep people off their phones, it is vital that stricter laws are put against it. Law enforcement, including police and the judicial system must put their foot down and stand by it. All ages must be targeted as well. Even though older people may think they are more experienced behind the wheel, accidents can happen and they should not be able to use their phones either. It should also no longer be a question whether it is a safe time to pick up the phone and send a quick text. The punishments must be toughened, forcing people to face harder consequences if caught texting while driving behind the wheel. License suspension would be a strong preventive in order for people to keep both hands on the wheel. On top of the new laws that should be put against texting while driving, drawing attention and focus to people who have suffered tragedies from texting and driving could be a key part to prevent more from happening. Making sure people are fully educated, enforcing stronger laws, and following through with stricter punishments are the first things that need to be done in order to keep people off their phones. Do you want the last thing you see before flying off the road to be “What r u doing? LOL”? There is nothing so important in a text message that cannot wait until later. Do not let any more young individuals lives be taken from texting and driving. Do something about…
- 1592 Words
- 7 Pages
Good Essays -
In Harris County Texas it is said that one of the most dangerous crimes committed is drunk driving. Unfortunately drunk driving is a big issue hanging over the heads of law enforcement. Harris County is number one in the country for drunken driving fatalities, and yet I will make the argument that texting while driving is potentially as dangerous if not more as drunk driving. I believe the reason that this issue is more volatile than drunk driving because everyone is capable of texting while driving. Drunk driving is unique to people that drink alcohol, and when you take the entire population that drinks alcohol it pales in comparison to the population that text while driving. This issue is starting to make national headlines; the government is starting to pay attention to staggering statistics and acting. Since teenagers make up the majority of violators the government has found new ways to reach teenagers and young adults in marketing campaigns. While teenagers are not the only violators the marketing has been focused towards teenagers and young adults and it has shown to be effective in its early stages.…
- 1070 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Imagine driving down the road where the sun is shining and the wind is blowing in your hair, you’re having a grand old time driving and then all of a sudden someone rams in the back of your car. This is the behavior of texting while driving is proven to be unsafe. Maryland passed a new law about no cell phones in the hands of the driver while the vehicle is on; to use your cell phone it has to be hands free device. Having this law, people still text and drive and use their phones and people still do not pay attention to the road in front of them. They are more worried about the conversation they are having on their phone. People really don’t realize the danger of texting and driving. People may know the risks and the danger of texting and driving, but they just don’t want to believe it will happen to them. If they only knew the danger and what it does to a family, people might just change their mind. What happens if it was your son, daughter, sister, brother, friend, or even a loved one got into a serious car accident from texting and driving, would that change your mind to stop? Leaving to the question, is texting while driving leading you to the road of disaster?…
- 2911 Words
- 12 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Driving is a privilege, and in many cases this privilege is abused. Some people don’t take driving seriously and this often results in terrible accidents. Other innocent people sadly become victims of this carelessness. The U.S banned several acts that result in accidents such as drinking under the influence. Driving while under the influence was banned because it affects the drivers’ concentration. Doesn’t texting while driving do the same thing? When a driver is texting his/her focus is not on the road and at any moment the driver may lose control of their vehicle. Texting while driving should be banned in every state because it’s a dangerous act; this ban will decrease the amount of accidents caused by this act, and it will provide safety for fellow drivers.…
- 842 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Texting while driving is the act of composing, sending, reading text messages, email while driving. (Wikipedia)…
- 1119 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
One reason why texting while driving shouldn’t be banned is because it would be pointless. Drivers don’t only get distracted only by texting, but by many other things. As Balko stated in his article “There are countless other driver distractions that we’d never think of banning, from having kids in the back seat, to eating or drinking while driving to fumbling with the radio.” (Balko) The little things that people do while operating a vehicle can be more distracting than what people can imagine. Anything can happen on the roads when driving and at any time. Drivers would have to be more cautious when driving.…
- 623 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
State, Federal, and local lawmakers have placed laws into effect to ban the use of cell phones while driving. No state bans all cell phone use (handheld and hands free) for all drivers, but many prohibit all cell phone use by certain drivers. Even with laws permitting laws enforcement to ticket individuals who are caught texting, people continue to ignore the laws. Here are some solutions we can try: (1) Create cars that block texting while the vehicle is running. (2) Use technology such as Bluetooth headsets. The other solution would be like DWI’s, after the 2nd offense, suspension of driving privileges. With teenagers being the biggest offenders of texting while driving, we need to get their attention and help them understand the important issues at hand, “texting and driving takes lives.…
- 538 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
I’d be lying if I said I never text while driving. But I recognize the dangers, and try to do it as little as possible. However, there are still incidents that occur. One day, I was driving down Highway 6, passing Walmart, and received a text from my brother asking what time baseball practice was. I went to reply and took my focus off my driving. This immediately endangered myself, anyone else in the car, and everyone in the cars around me. While texting, I have no ability to respond to events as they occur around me on the road. Even if I may be able to text while driving and maintain control and not crash, if someone around was to do something dumb, my ability to react safely to that is severely diminished. For example,…
- 692 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
After reading and analyzing the journals and articles, I now realize the serious consequences and problems that texting while driving, and driving underage can cause. There are many dangers that come with texting while driving that never occur to the people performing the action. "Nearly 5500 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2009, the Department of Transportation found." While most might believe that drunk driving is the culprit to most unforced accidents, they may not be educated enough to know that texting and driving is just as bad. Typically these bad habits such as texting and driving occurs in the younger generations such as my age, or young adults. In the state of New York the driving age has been raised to 17 or even 18. "The Arlington Va-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said yesterday the change would reduce crashes asking teen drivers and make the roads safer." Nearly 6000 deaths and 500000 injuries in 2008, resulting from just texting and driving! These results should not only be astonishing and shocking, but should stop people completely from texting and driving. Also distracted driving is playing a large roll on car accidents. "There is no safe what to drive distracted.", says DOT spokeswomen Sasha Johnson. "Hands free is not risk free." While driving the driver should always have complete focus and be paying close attention to the roads and their surroundings. New York State has recently raised the ticket to a maximum of $150 fine if a driver is caught on, using, or holding an electronic device. The state is hoping that by forcing the people to pay more they will be scared out of texting while driving. Although this should not have to have gotten so far, the state taking precautions is a very smart and strategic way of enforcing the law.…
- 299 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Sitting on the highway in traffic and the cell phone goes off. Hearing the recognizable text message ringtone a person starts to think, “Maybe it’s my friend telling me about the update on the party tonight, or my mother, what if something is wrong?” It does look like traffic is going to be moving anytime soon, and knowing that it would only take a min, if that, to respond, they do. Before they know it the car in front of them stops too fast and there in an accident. Texting while behind the wheel takes your eyes off the road, you lose your focus, and it has a high risk factor. Texting while driving is very dangerous and can cause serious harm.…
- 568 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Technology had changed the society massively. People use their cell phones to communicate with friends or for business calls. People have been so used to using their cell phones to call or text in a daily basis. Now cell phones are major distractions when people are driving. People are so used to using their cell phones, some people consciously use them without knowing it and soon cause accidents that injury innocent people.…
- 637 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays