Texting while driving: Is it a problem?

Research shows that 26 % of mobile phone owners admit to texting while driving.
Texting has became the 21st century method of communication that many people are
becoming more aware of day by day. But is this the beginning of a problem to the drivers
on the road? Texting and driving is a dangerous mix. It can almost be compared to drunk driving according to a study, Driving Increases Crash risks 23-Fold by Jennifer Guevin. Texting
distracts drivers from the road and does not let them concentrate. David Loucel, a second year
student at Los Angeles Trade College says, “Texting and receiving texts used to help me wake
up in the morning”.
Loucel says that now that he knows the law exists, he will stop texting while driving and
he’ll turn off his phone to prevent any accidents or any tickets.
Many states have banned texting while driving. The laws punish all drivers that are caught
texting on the road. The driver will receive a ticket. Some tickets are about $200 and others can
be up to $300 and will keep increasing as the drivers keeps caught doing it . The states that have these laws are California, Illinois, Missouri, Alaska, The District of Columbia, Louisiana,
Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington. Missouri has a specific law that only restricts texting
from drivers 21 years and younger. If teens are caught they will be fined and the tickets cost
$200.
Abigail Obeso, a freshman student at Mount Saint Mary’s College, completely agrees with
the law. She said, “This law helps prevent accidents therefore the driver can focus on their
driving.” Obeso believes that other states should implement this law for the safety of the drivers on the road and so they can protect their loved ones of any accidents.
Many drivers take this risk without knowing what can happen to them or to anyone else. They
probably are unaware that they are likely to crash while doing this. Maybe they are aware but
do not care. Carmen Montoya, a senior student at La Sierra University, said, “I have found
myself in a situation in which I almost crashed into a car while checking my phones inbox during
traffic”. She believes in the importance of using a hands free device like Bluetooth while driving.
Montoya said, “I completely agree with the law that bans texting while driving. It can help
save a few lives.” She normally will not read any messages unless she knows its
something or someone important. Montoya is very concerned for everyone’s safety on the road
therefore she has decided to use her Bluetooth, when she receives a text she calls them back, or
just simply turn off her phone while she is driving. She said, “I don’t want to be the person to
blame in an accident”.
The people that are aware of this law tend to break it. Many know the consequences but what
if an accident is to really occur? Will they be the ones to blame? The mentality of these drivers
will get them nowhere. They maybe just looking into a serious accident.
Elizabeth Serrano, a housewife and mother, has decided that for the safety of her 2 children
she will not text while driving. She says, “sometimes I do read the messages because what if
it’s something of importance ? How am I supposed to know if I can’t read it?”
Serrano does not believe people should text while driving especially those drivers that
cannot multitask. She says, “Those are the ones who are likely to crash.” Serrano explained that
to prevent any sort of accidents she will make sure to get into the habit of not texting at all while she’s on the road and hide her cell phone where she can not see it at all or hear it. She believes
that the law is there for a reason and should not be broken as it can help people gain conscience
on the road.
Studies have shown that teens get distracted much faster that any other adult while they are on the road, according to 60 % of teens text while driving by Robert Roy Britt. The state of
Tennessee has the largest percentage of texting while driving offenders in the country and it
continues to increase. The risks keep exceeding while the driver continues to do it. Five seconds
before a crash the driver is caught checking his or her phone according to, In study, Texting
Lifts Crash Risks by Large Margin by Matt Ritchel.
President Obama has restricted texting while driving for all federal employees. He (Obama)
thinks that Federal employees should be the ones to stop doing this so they can be an example to the general public. Therefore, banning texting while driving may help decrease car crashes all
over the country, and help drivers gain awareness on the road.