Talking and Texting - End of the Road

Today, The National Transportation Safety Board announced a concerted effort to institute a nationwide effort to stop drivers from talking and texting on their cell phones while driving.   They want a ban in all fifty states outlawing all non-emergency phone calls and texting by operators of every vehicle on the road.  Their ban would apply to all hands-free as well as hand held devices.  Exclusion would be in place for those devices installed within the vehicle by the manufacturer.

 

The nationwide ban would not apply to those in passenger seats, only the operator of the vehicle.  As we all know, cell phone usage, texting and other distractions lead to traffic accidents and deaths each year.  The National Transportation Safety Board has linked over 3,000 deaths annually to distracted driving.  Most folks in accidents either lie or fail to disclose that they were distracted by cell phone usage.  The Safety Board reports that over 13.5 million Americans are on their cell phones at any given time during daylight hours while driving their vehicle.

 

These numbers are huge.  Currently, 35 states have banned text messaging while driving and ten of those states also ban hand held usage entirely.  Another 30 states ban cell-phone usage by novice drivers.   Like everyone else, I see vehicle operators driving carelessly all the time while talking on their cell phone.  Those that text are even further distracted by taking their eyes off the road.

I freely admit that I am guilty of both talking on my cell phone as well as texting while driving.  The cell phone usage does not particularly concern me but I know that I am distracted when I choose to text while driving.  Recently, I made the decision to stop texting while driving because I know it’s an accident waiting to happen.  I do not want to have to explain why I’m sitting in a ditch or hit the vehicle in the next lane because I was sending a silly message to one of my children or employees. 

Lest we forget, we operated for years without these hand held devices, communication tools and connectivity that we enjoy today.  If it is all that important, it’s easy enough to pull off the road into a safe area and respond to the text message you received.  Same could be said for the phone calls if it comes to a nationwide ban on cell phone usage entirely.  Frankly, I am one of those folks who could very easily cast my cell phone aside and not feel any hint of regret.  Being continually accessible is not always a good thing.  I can remember when I wasn’t all that easy to find, especially when I was on the golf course. 

Text messaging and driving is nearly every bit as dangerous as is drinking and driving.  I believe every state should endorse the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendation and make it a nationwide ban.  If they do, then education and enforcement will be the key to its successful implementation.