Texting While Driving

On August 1, 2008, Governor Tim Pawlenty proclaimed texting while driving illegal in Minnesota, becoming the twentieth state to affirm this law (Copeland). In my opinion, this law is necessary due to the fact that cell phones are a major distraction for drivers. The majority of people who text while they are driving include teenagers and young adults. However, the use of cell phones has become increasingly popular for older adults as well. Most people do not hesitate to pull out their phone while they are driving 70 mph on the freeway. Even though people may not realize it, texting while driving causes major distractions and can result in fatal accidents. Although it is illegal for people to text while they are driving, this does not stop a large number of people from doing so.

Over the past few years, statistics have shown that cell phones use has become increasingly dangerous for drivers. In 2007, texting while behind the wheel caused approximately 1,000 accidents. In 2008, almost 6,000 people were killed and half a million people were seriously injured due to cell phone distractions. Within these samples, 16 to 19 year old drivers were found to have caused the majority of these accidents (GSHA). Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty stated, “We have a statistic that is especially concerning to me that one out of every three teen drivers regularly texts while they drive, and for that reason, I think it's very important that we move forward with legislation like this”. For this reason, Pawlenty signed a bill prohibiting texting while driving. This law entails that Minnesota drivers will be banned from sending or reading text messages while they are driving a motorized vehicle. However, the act of texting while driving is considered a secondary offense, meaning an individual must be pulled over for another reason aside from texting before they can be accused. For example, if someone is pulled over for running a red light, and the police officer finds that they were texting, they can be apprehended for a petty misdemeanor. If proof can be provided that an individual was texting while they were driving, a fine can be given for up to $300 (Lauritsen).

Nevertheless, people continue to text while they are driving despite Pawlenty’s law. Many people ignore the fact that texting while driving is illegal, especially teenagers. In general, texting is most common among teenagers. Many teens would admit that texting is their primary source of communication. In fact, 48 percent of teens confess that they text while they are driving (Park). These, “Inexperienced drivers” seem to look past the fact that they can continue their conversations as soon as they reach their destination and are no longer driving a car. “Those who incorporate texting into every other aspect of their waking lives are hard pressed to let their thumbs go idle just because they're behind the wheel” (Chang). So many teenagers are addicted to their phones that they find it nearly impossible to stop while they are driving. Some teens claim that they are too skilled at texting to cause an accident on the road. What is it going to take for these naive teens to follow the law? Are they going to wait until one of their family members or friends is killed by someone who is distracted by their phone before they realize the severity of the issue?

To make matters worse, teens are not the only ones who ignore this restricting law. Older adults are also guilty of this violation. Even though texting is most common among teenagers, adults have also adapted to this form of communication. A survey conducted by Cingular in 2006 revealed that out of 1,175 parents, almost half claimed that their children introduced them to texting (Johnson). Throughout the years, adults have followed in teenagers footsteps by texting while driving. According to FindLaw, 27% of drivers who are 25 to 34 years old admitted to text messaging while driving a vehicle (Park). These adults are adding to the number of accidents that are occurring due to texting while driving.

Unfortunately, many of these teens and adults state that they know that texting while driving involves risks, but they continue to text anyway. If people are texting, then they cannot put their full attention on the road. Some people may say that they are skilled at multitasking; therefore, they can text at the same time as they drive with no problem. However, Marcel Just, a neuroscientist at Carnegie Mellon University, came up with a demonstration that proves that the human brain struggles when an unexpected or highly thought-provoking circumstance arises (Hamilton). For instance, if someone receives a text that catches him off guard, such as a text revealing startling or unexpected news, he will be more likely to swerve off the road and possibly cause a deadly accident. Also, studies show that the brain is incapable of focusing completely on more than one activity at the same time (Rosen). When an individual is texting while driving, his mind is focused on the message that he is creating. Even if the individual is capable of texting without looking at his phone, his brain will still be concentrating on the information that is being incorporated into his texting instead of focusing his full attention on driving. Studies show that several hundred thousand accidents have been caused by the distractions of cell phones (Kelley).

I fully support the law that Governor Pawlenty passed that banished texting while driving. Unfortunately, many drivers do not abide by this law, which is resulting in numerous distractions that lead to car accidents. Teenagers, as well as adults, are choosing to ignore the conditions of this law and continue to text their fingers away while they are driving, putting other drivers at severe risk. Many people may ignore this issue, until one of their family members is killed because of someone who cannot put down their phone.


Works Cited

“Cell Phone Driving Laws.” Governors Safety Highway Association Feb. 2010. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb. 2010.

Chang, Bea. “Pawlenty signs ban on texting while driving, plus teen driver restrictions.” Kare11.com 6 Feb. 2010. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb 2010.

Copeland, Larry. “States go after texting drivers.” USA Today 25 Jan. 2010. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb. 2010.

Hamilton, Jon. “Multitasking In The Car: Just Like Drunken Driving.” Npr 16 Oct. 2008. Academic Search Premier. Web. 4 Mar. 2010.

Johnson, Carolyn. “Parents say texting kids improves communication.” Chicago Tribune 28 Dec. 2006. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb. 2010.

Kelley, Craig. “Cell Phone Dialing and Texting While Driving - How Many Deaths and Serious Accidents Will it Take??” InjuryBoard.com 16 April 2008. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb. 2010.

Lauritsen, John. “Pawlenty Signs Texting-While-Driving Ban Into Law.” WCCO 23 May 2008 Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb 2010.

Park, Will. ”Are you texting while driving? New study suggests you are.” IntoMobile 12 Aug. 2008. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb. 2010.

Rosen, Christine. “The Myth of Multitasking.” The New Atlantis 20.1(2008): 105-110. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Feb. 2010.