Distracted Driving Laws - Leslye Barth

Distracted driving laws exist in 14 states in the US, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands. These laws prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. All are primary enforcement laws, meaning that an officer can cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic violation taking place. The implementation of distracted driving laws have generally been well received, but the recent veto of a statewide ban on texting while driving in Texas was the first time the policy has been turned down by a governor (Rick Perry). Perry commented that although texting while driving is "reckless and irresponsible," the bill is "a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults." 

Texas does prohibit texting while driving for drivers younger than 18, school bus operators and those who have had learners permits for 6 months or less, and prohibits the use of handhelds in school zones. However, anyone over 18 is allowed to text while driving. Texting while driving causes over 1.6 million accidents per year, and the Texas governor is choosing to "protect" the rights of drivers to do whatever they want in their cars with respect to phone usage. This calls into question the role the government plays in protecting its citizens. In my opinion, it is far more important to protect the lives of those on the road who are going about their business from those who recklessly choose to be distracted while driving. The cost of life far exceeds the "benefit" of having the privilege to text while driving, and Texas should definitely reconsider legislation to ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving. The lack of this law is permitting dangerous activity on the road and is endangering citizens who either choose to text while driving or those that surround the particular individual who puts others in danger (a serious negative externality). This law is a no-brainer, but the governor of Texas is too focused on his agenda of reducing government involvement to protect the own lives of his citizens.