Alabama Senate is blocking approval of Jim McClendon's bill to ban teens from texting while driving...when I interviewed him for the "License To Drive" documentary, I asked what justification his peers gave for opposing another of his bills...one to ban cell-phone use while driving. He said some of them think the state has no business dictating what people do in their personal cars. Honest. They must be the same Senators who want you to be able to text behind the wheel. I've gotten really good at spotting cell-phone drivers from a distance. They're the ones driving in several lanes s-l-o-w-l-y. As for the texting drivers, I can spot them even more easily: they're the ones crashing into a tree.
Amen, Tim!
ReplyDeleteWe all have near-death experiences, encountering phoning and texting drivers!
On one level, I have problems with the state (government) telling me how I can and cannot communicate.
ReplyDeleteThe whole issue is distraction.
Are we going to ban screaming babies in the backseat?
THAT'S a distraction of the highest order!
What about surly children?
Some might advocate tossing 'em out the window, but I think that's rather harsh, and wholly unnecessary.
And what about singing along with the music on the CD/radio or whatever?
THAT is distracting, is it not?
And then, what about thinking about that pink slip you got (or will be getting) at work?
Now, THERE's ONE HELL of a distraction!
And what about driving after being diagnosed with cancer?
The list is endless.
Further, as you suggest "driving... s-l-o-w-l-y," is a documented effect of driving and talking/cell phone use.
Now, as I recollect, the Department of Public Safety and others are always begging us to slow down. So, in that sense, they have what they've wanted for years!
Go figure.
You see, the logical issue would be to leave things as they are, and allow the civil courts to exercise their jurisdiction in the cases where drivers were found liable for damages after distraction.
But, the insurance companies would NOT like that, and in Alabama, we bow down before those golden calves.
Yes, master... yes, master.