Texting While Driving: The New Phenomenon
While reading part of The Los Angeles Times today, I came across an article that sparked my attention. It described how people today use their cell phones while driving on a regular basis. In this past year, California has created a new law forbidding the use of cell phones without a bluetooth device. Although many people know about this newborn law, the true reality has not hit them.
However, the other day in Torrence, California, several drivers were forced to accept the fine for thier actions. Police had setup a check point from which they ticketed forty-one drivers in one hour for using moble devices while driving.
I believe that this law shows a great step in the right direction for California, because technology has taken over such a huge part of our lives. When a person uses a cell phone to text or call another while driving, they lose a sense of awareness on the road. Although I am just beginning my driving life, even the littlest distraction will throw my concentration off, I can not imagine what my phone would do!
Also, it confuses me as to why people think it is so necessary to use their cell phone while driving. Why can’t the person simply pull-over to send that text message or return a call to their friend? Anyways, I am proud to see California’s action towards this issue and I hope to see less people driving crazily while on the phone.
I understand your point as to why a person can not simply pull-over to send a text message or return a call but the truth is, text messages and phone calls come much to often to stop and type. While I too feel the importance of safety surpasses that of sending your next new message, I see the future where many Americans do not.
Unfortunately, people in society think very highly of themselves and think, “Oh, but I am safe. That could never happen to me.” In reality, looking down at your phone for just five seconds to make sure your friend knows your on your way, could be the last five seconds before your car slams into the vehicle in front of you. Is a message really more important than your life or the life of another individual lost in an accident?