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A Senior Seminar Editorial by Alexa MacIsaac, MHS 2010

Since texting came out a few years ago, it has become a popular craze that almost everyone does. For most people, it is their major mean-of communication. It has replaced actual human conversation on the phone because people would rather text than call others. Since texting is most teenager’s favorite way to communicate, they tend to do it when they should not; during school, at work, and most importantly, while they are driving. Driving without any distractions can be dangerous on its own. When teenagers add texting to the situation, they are only asking for trouble, even though there are simple ways to avoid it. The government is now becoming involved in this growing problem and states are being forced to take action. Even though teenagers may be the largest group of people who do this, no one should text while they drive! The government needs to make this hazardous act illegal before more lives are lost.

Texting while you are driving requires taking your eyes, a hand, and attention off the dangerous, unpredictable road.  In general, teenagers make up a large percentage of vehicle accidents each year. Since they are inexperienced drivers to begin with, adding a cell phone can be fatal. There have been many accidents reported that were caused by texting. Unfortunately, lives have been lost as well. “Studies show this is far more dangerous than talking on a phone while driving or driving while drunk, which is astounding,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer. If you would not drink and drive, then you should not text and drive.

Texting while driving is not necessary! If there were a true emergency, most likely the person would call you, not text. However, if for some reason texting was absolutely necessary, one should simply pull over and send the important text. No text message is that imperative that you have to open and respond to it as soon as you get it when you are driving. Most messages can wait until you pull over, stop somewhere, or get to where you were going. If you are driving with a friend, you could have that person be in charge of your phone so the driver is not tempted to read or answer texts, the passenger can do it for you. People must realize that texting is too much of a risk when you are driving and that their messages can wait.

Since texting while driving has proved to be extremely dangerous, states are beginning to get involved. “Currently, texting while driving is banned in fourteen states, including Alaska, California, and New Jersey, as well as the District of Columbia,” explains Matt Richtel of the New York Times. For the remaining 36 states, the federal government has given ultimatums for banning it as well. If a state does not ban texting while driving, they will lose hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway funds. This new rule, just introduced in July will hopefully force states to step up and ban this hazard. If it is illegal, people will realize the true dangers and stop doing it.