Actions That Make A Difference

In the past , the no phone/no text law while driving was a secondary offense and said that a driver that is violating the text messaging or cell phone law may not be pulled over and ticketed unless they are committing a primary driving offense such as speeding or running a stop sign.

Now that the Governor has signed Senate Bill 6345 into law both text messaging and cell phone use without a hands free device while driving becomes a primary offense. This gives an officer of the law the ability to ticket a driver based solely on the observation of text messaging or illegal cell phone use.
In addition, Instruction Permit and Intermediate License holders will be prohibited from any cell phone use while driving with the usual exceptions for emergency situations. The fine for the offense is $124.

Since 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in crashes that involved distracted driving. Distracted driving applies to anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the steering wheel, or interrupts your concentration while driving. It's no surprise that America's adults are busy communicators.  We're tethered to our jobs even when we're not at work. We're making sure our kids and grandkids are where they're supposed to be. We're trying to manage our households, keep up with our friends, and arrange our schedules. Texting and talking on a cell phone make all of this possible.

Adults may be the ones sounding the alarm on the dangers of distracted driving, but they don't always set the best example themselves. Pew's Internet & American Life Project survey indicates that 58% of adults send or read text messages, and close to half (47%) of those people say they do so while they drive. That means that 28% of US adults admit to texting behind the wheel. Yet, 26% of US drivers aged 16 or 17 report texting while driving. Sure, that's only an overall difference of 2%, but as adults we are supposed to know better.

Young drivers are especially at risk. Young drivers are at risk of distracted driving—especially men and women under 20 years of age. Their lack of driving experience can contribute to critical misjudgments if they become distracted. Not surprisingly, they text more than any other age group and the numbers of young drivers who text are only increasing.

Everyone has a role. We all have a stake in solving this problem and we can all be a part of the solution. We must put our phones down; be a good example to our children, peers, and our community.