Do Texting Bans Make Roads Less Safe?
September 29th, 2010 - 12:31 am ICT by Angela Kaye MasonSep 28 (THAINDIAN NEWS) According t a report in USA Today “Laws banning texting while driving actually may prompt a slight increase in road crashes, research out today shows. The findings, to be unveiled at a meeting here of 550 traffic safety professionals from around the USA, come amid a heightened national debate over distracted driving.” (from Kansas City, Missouri)
In Missouri, it is still legal for anyone over the age of 21 to text while they are driving. Many lawmakers, including the Senator Ryan Mckenna, who is a Democrat from Crystal City, would like to see everyone of every age included in the ban. But according to the article in USA Today, not everyone feels the same way.
Some are maintaining that the new law is not stopping people from texting while driving. They maintain that in states where it is illegal to text and drive, people continue to do so, lowering their cell phones to their laps, which is even more dangerous, since their eyes are off of the road for longer periods of time. They feel that since people refuse to follow the safety ban, that it is the fault of the ban that more crashes occur.
But Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood puts the responsibility back on the driver and law, stating, “Tough laws are the first step and enforcement must be next. We know that anti-distracted-driving laws can be enforced effectively.”
- US mulls banning phone use while driving - Jul 13, 2011
- U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, singer Jordin Sparks, Congressional and Allstate leaders urge Americans to stop texting and driving - Apr 27, 2010
- Obama administration puts limitation on mobile usage while driving - Oct 02, 2009
- Texting kills 5,000 people every year in the US - May 20, 2012
- US govt considering tech that would disable cell phones in cars - Nov 30, 2010
- Kansas Governor signs legislation banning texting while driving - May 25, 2010
- Australia to call blanket ban on all mobile phone in vehicles - Feb 07, 2011
- U.S. Department of Transportation to get $128 billion budget for 2012 - Feb 15, 2011
- Texting ban has not lowered US accident rate - Sep 29, 2010
- Oklahoma vehicle pursuit leads to a near head-on car crash with Missouri trooper - Apr 23, 2010
- Study reveals that despite ban on Cell phone usage while driving accident rates still high - Jul 08, 2011
- US aviation chief resigns after drunk driving arrest - Dec 07, 2011
- Texting while Driving Law to be expanded - Dec 02, 2009
- Osbourne supports Anti Text and Drive ban - Dec 16, 2011
- U.S. FAA launches website for pilots and public about laser incidents - Oct 28, 2011
Tags: cell phones, crystal city, democrat, driving laws, kansas city missouri, laps, lawmakers, mckenna, national debate, periods, ray lahood, road crashes, traffic safety professionals, transportation secretary, usa today