Texting While Driving Ban Is Not Extreme Enough
I am tired of all of the political posturing by lobbying organizations and opportunist politicos regarding the “ban on texting” while driving.
Jack of All Blogs is not arguing that dexting (texting while driving) won’t lead to catastrophe…it most certainly could. However, our position is that all drivers should have both hands on the wheel at all times (well, 95% of the time). If you do not, you should be punished.
How hard can it be to create a steering wheel that sets off some sort of alarm signal when both hands are not on the wheel for an extended period of time? It wouldn’t be hard at all. In fact, it could even tie into a central law enforcement database.
This uni-tasking driving mandate sounds extreme, but when you boil it down, there is no effective way to monitor a person’s dexting activity. Plus, what about all of the road hogs who are eating sandwiches…reading newspapers…picking their noses!…reaching into the backseat…feeding a baby…playing the guitar (i saw that this morning on the way to work)…fishing inside the glove compartment…selecting music from their iPod… THESE ARE ALL DANGEROUS AND DISTRACTING ACTIVITIES WHEN BEHIND THE WHEEL.
You can ban dexting all you want, but without a way for police to prove that you were engaged in mobile device activity, it’s destined to fail.
If anyone really cared about the safety of the American driving public, they would insist upon two-hand driving legislation. It’s the way we are all originally taught – 10 and 2 o’clock. Heck, you can grab the wheel any way it turns you on, just make sure all 10 digits are wrapped around it.
Are you ready to sign the position?
P.S. – Since it’s perfectly legal, and perfectly hypocritical, I wrote this blog while behind the wheel. Ah, the irony.
Actually, it’s not at the 4 and 7 o’clock positions now. The change being due to airbags and that you really don’t want your own fist thrust into your face.
Bryan Price said this on October 9, 2009 4:41 am
I think people shouldn’t be allowed to text and drive. It is very dangerous and is causing many accidents. I agree with your opionion on banning it but maybe not always having two hands on the wheel. I think as long as you are paying attention then it should be fine.
B Flynn said this on November 11, 2009 4:02 am