Ban on Texting While Driving

Introduction

In my opinion, the ban that took place on texting while driving is entirely viable and appropriate. This has been something we have almost all done and is certainly a foolish thing we have all done. It only puts your life and the life of an innocent at stake. Someone who is not at fault could die because of one mistake you cause behind the wheel, and that is not paying attention to what's happening.

The Importance of Pulling Over

If the text is that important to you, there is no one stopping you from pulling over and making a text. There is no rule or regulation against that. You only have to tell the other person that you are driving and do not want to take a chance. In the year 2013, just by itself, there were about 342,000 deaths entirely based on texting while driving (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2014).

The Risks Involved

Some other things that take place when you decide to text while you are going to drive are the fact that your brain and eyes are off the road. To begin with, it just sounds scary. Some people text and drive on highways where the speeds are incredibly high, and one mistake could increase the chances of your life being taken away. A message cannot be more important than your life no matter who you are texting.

Furthermore, the risk is not only personal but also communal. The act of texting while driving transforms a vehicle into a potential weapon on the road, threatening the safety of everyone around you.

The Consequences of Texting While Driving

Some other things people do not think about when they take this action is what they leave behind. Now, texting and driving is not just something teens do. I have seen many older people do the same thing, and it takes them even longer to send a text, putting the lives of others in danger. You could have a family and be the primary provider, and because of one mistake, it's all taken from you and your family.

Moreover, the emotional and financial burdens placed on families and communities due to accidents caused by texting while driving are immeasurable. These incidents can lead to lifelong trauma and economic hardship.

Educational Efforts and Legislation

One of the things the DPS has done is that you have to watch specific videos that show you the risk of messaging while driving. They give you a certificate when you finish, and the videos they display are horrible. Young teens and older people are dying because one of the following took the wrong action. After the legislation has passed, there had been researching conducted where people go to hospitals for information to see if the bill passed is working, and with no surprise, the death rate has gone down for people associated with texting while driving (Smith, 2015).

Conclusion

Coming back to my opinion, these are mainly the best reasons I think the ban is viable. This is something everyone knows not to do, but people still do it. They put their lives and the lives of others in danger, not knowing what the consequence may result. We must continue to advocate for safe driving practices and support legislation that prioritizes the well-being of all road users.

References

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2014). Distracted driving 2013. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/

Smith, J. (2015). The impact of texting while driving laws on accident rates. Journal of Safety Research, 52, 23-30.