TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

Every time I drive I see at least one person using their cell phone while driving. Whether it is texting, dialing or even just talking on the phone, it has become more and more of a problem. Yes, I admit from time to time I use my cell phone as I drive. However, I feel that I am more aware of my surroundings and not so concerned with my phone or the conversation I was having. I don’t just text or talk to people just to talk to them, as I drive. If it is an emergency or I need to get a hold of somebody then I will use it. I have seen a variety of people, wide range of age’s texting while driving. A couple months ago I saw a woman, probably in her mid thirties, driving a minivan with at least two small children in the back. She was texting and driving and either yelling at the older woman in the passenger seat, or the kids in the back. You can’t tell me that if something jumped in front of her vehicle, a car cut her off, or drifted into her lane, that she would notice. More than likely an accident would have occurred if something like that were to happen. In 2009, 29% of accidents in the United States were caused by the driver (ages 18-30) being distracted with the use of a cell phone. And it is said that 4 out of 5 accidents are caused by distracted drivers, of any age. Something should be done about this and I agree with people when they say something needs to be done about texting/cell phone usage while driving. However, I think when the government makes it illegal in some areas to even use a cell phone is taking things a little too far. In my opinion, if someone is at fault for an accident or is using excessive speed due to being distracted with the use of a cell phone, then they should be fined for that. I do not think it is right to pull people over and give them tickets for talking on their cell phone only. Maybe in the future, if numbers continue to rise with accidents and deaths related to texting while driving, I will agree…but for now, I think it’s wrong to make using a cell phone while operating a vehicle illegal.