Does Passing Laws Banning Texting While Driving Really Help

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Does Passing Laws Banning Texting While Driving
Really Help
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I live in Texas where you can get a specialized
license plate that says, "Don't Tread On Me" at
the bottom.
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Perhaps it is that kind of mentality that is the
reason why Texas is one of only eight states in
the country that has not passed a statewide law
banning texting while driving.
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Why Has Texas Not Passed A Law Banning Texting
While Driving
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If we all know that sending a text message while
driving is dangerous, then what is the hold up in
Texas and the other seven states that have not
banned the practice statewide.
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Perhaps it is because it has been difficult to
demonstrate that such a law really stops drivers
from texting while driving.
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I play on a hockey team with a fellow that has
been a police officer for over a decade.
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He has been to the scene of hundreds of crashes
in that time and he told me that he has never had
a driver say to him, "Office I am at fault
because I was sending a text message while I was
driving, got distracted and I caused the accident.
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" It just doesn't happen.
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If driver's do not admit fault in a state that
does not have a law prohibiting texting while
driving, what do you think the chances are that
drivers in states where it is against the law,
are going to step forward and admit
responsibility.
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And since most crash data is based on the
self-reporting of drivers, then just how
difficult is it to really know the degree of
effectiveness of laws that ban this kind of
activity while driving?
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So the question becomes, does passing a law
banning sending a text while driving actually
reduce this type of cellphone use? Or does this
type of law simply make drivers that much more
leery to admit that they had been using there
cellphone to send a text message?
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Cities Take The Lead In Banning Texting While
Driving
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In Texas, around forty cities have taken it upon
themselves not to wait for the State of Texas to
take action and have passed ordinances
prohibiting texting while driving.
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Some cities, like Austin have even gone so far
as to pass ordinances that ban drivers from using
any type of hands-free electronic device while
driving.
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In Austin's case, they moved to this broader ban
on all electronic devices because it is easier
for police to see a driver holding a cellphone up
to their ear, than it is to see a driver holding
a cellphone in their lap as they send a text
message while driving.
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As someone who has lived in Texas for over thirty
years I am all for the idea of not having my
rights tread upon.
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But that does not include the right of someone
who chooses to be texting while driving being
responsible for damage to either my vehicle or my
person.