Text-messaging while driving creates danger for motorists
By Rajan Koirala/10-13-2008 for San Jacinto Times
Text messaging and talking on the phone while operating a vehicle has been one of the greatest problems around the globe, recently claiming many lives, according to media reports.The ease of staying connected and communicating with friends using the handheld cell phones makes it popular among youths. They are busy text messaging while driving or inside classrooms even when their focus should be elsewhere.
The news about the train wreck in Los Angeles in mid-September and use of text messaging as its causative agent strained the government to rethink legislation on cell phone usage.
Taking 25 lives and injuring 135, it became the deadliest wreck in a 15-year history just because of the distraction of the conductor using a cell phone for text messaging.
The official investigation revealed that Robert Sanchez, the conductor of the train, ran through the red light and collided with the freight train. He sent a text 22 seconds before the crash happened, and the investigation showed that he sent five messages and received seven in the 90 minutes leading up to the collision as well as dozens throughout the day while operating the trains.
California law only allows handsfree use of cell phones while driving.
Andrew Cortazar, 19 of La Porte, considers text messaging while driving as same as drinking and driving. He believes the accidents are similar in both the cases.
“Distraction at the time of driving is no good,” Cortazar said.
He loves messaging but not at the time he drives. He wants everybody to remain focused while operating a vehicle.
Chris Herrera, of Houston, has a bitter but true story about an accident. His pregnant fiancé was hit by another vehicle, and he learned the operator of the other vehicle was using the cell phone.
“After I saw the accident, I am aware and want everybody to avoid using such devices while driving,” Herrera said.
Many states in the nation have banned the use of cell phones in recent years, but still the number of accidents and fatal death toll to reach higher every day.
Five states including California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington banned handheld cell phones while operating a vehicle whereas Alaska, California, Louisiana, Minneso-ta, New Jersey, Washington, Illinois, Nebraska and Oregon banned text messaging and 17 states including the District of Columbia prohibits school bus drivers using cell phones when the passengers are present unless there is an emergency.Nineteen states ban cell phone use for novice drivers. Even some cities like Phoenix and Detroit have cell phone laws, but more than a dozen states do not allow local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions. No state completely bans all types of cell phone use for all drivers.
In Texas, learner’s permit holders are prohibited from using handheld phones in the first six months of driving. School bus operators are prohibited from using cell phones while driving if passengers are present.
Dallas and several smaller municipalities have banned use of cell phones without hands-free devices and text messaging in school zones. State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, plans to reintroduce in the 2009 session his bill that would require hands-free devices for drivers using cell phones. His bill passed the transportation committee in 2008 after testimony from a man whose wife was killed in a crash she caused while using a cell phone.
More than 40 countries today ban the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle, but the operators can’t quit playing with these devices, like children are addicted to toys.
In France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, drivers are allowed to use cell phones but are held financially responsible if an accident takes place.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “Banning electronic text messaging while driving will keep drivers’ hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, making our roadways a safer place for all Californians.”
Text messaging and talking on the phone while operating a vehicle has been one of the greatest problems around the globe, recently claiming many lives, according to media reports.The ease of staying connected and communicating with friends using the handheld cell phones makes it popular among youths. They are busy text messaging while driving or inside classrooms even when their focus should be elsewhere.
The news about the train wreck in Los Angeles in mid-September and use of text messaging as its causative agent strained the government to rethink legislation on cell phone usage.
Taking 25 lives and injuring 135, it became the deadliest wreck in a 15-year history just because of the distraction of the conductor using a cell phone for text messaging.
The official investigation revealed that Robert Sanchez, the conductor of the train, ran through the red light and collided with the freight train. He sent a text 22 seconds before the crash happened, and the investigation showed that he sent five messages and received seven in the 90 minutes leading up to the collision as well as dozens throughout the day while operating the trains.
California law only allows handsfree use of cell phones while driving.
Andrew Cortazar, 19 of La Porte, considers text messaging while driving as same as drinking and driving. He believes the accidents are similar in both the cases.
“Distraction at the time of driving is no good,” Cortazar said.
He loves messaging but not at the time he drives. He wants everybody to remain focused while operating a vehicle.
Chris Herrera, of Houston, has a bitter but true story about an accident. His pregnant fiancé was hit by another vehicle, and he learned the operator of the other vehicle was using the cell phone.
“After I saw the accident, I am aware and want everybody to avoid using such devices while driving,” Herrera said.
Many states in the nation have banned the use of cell phones in recent years, but still the number of accidents and fatal death toll to reach higher every day.
Five states including California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington banned handheld cell phones while operating a vehicle whereas Alaska, California, Louisiana, Minneso-ta, New Jersey, Washington, Illinois, Nebraska and Oregon banned text messaging and 17 states including the District of Columbia prohibits school bus drivers using cell phones when the passengers are present unless there is an emergency.Nineteen states ban cell phone use for novice drivers. Even some cities like Phoenix and Detroit have cell phone laws, but more than a dozen states do not allow local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions. No state completely bans all types of cell phone use for all drivers.
In Texas, learner’s permit holders are prohibited from using handheld phones in the first six months of driving. School bus operators are prohibited from using cell phones while driving if passengers are present.
Dallas and several smaller municipalities have banned use of cell phones without hands-free devices and text messaging in school zones. State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, plans to reintroduce in the 2009 session his bill that would require hands-free devices for drivers using cell phones. His bill passed the transportation committee in 2008 after testimony from a man whose wife was killed in a crash she caused while using a cell phone.
More than 40 countries today ban the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle, but the operators can’t quit playing with these devices, like children are addicted to toys.
In France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, drivers are allowed to use cell phones but are held financially responsible if an accident takes place.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “Banning electronic text messaging while driving will keep drivers’ hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road, making our roadways a safer place for all Californians.”