BAN ON TEXTING WHILE DRIVING GAINS NATIONAL SUPPORT
Illinois is one of fourteen states currently that prohibits text messaging while driving. As I previously mentioned on my blog, Illinois enacted a bill outlawing this dangerous driving behavior in August. The law goes into effect January 1, 2010 and will will prohibit writing, sending or receiving text messages while driving.
National support of laws such as the one passed here in Illinois is growing. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) initially opposed laws banning texting while driving, arguing that enforcement would be impossible. In recent weeks, however, the GHSA has changed its tune, concluding that, "If every state passes a texting ban, it will send a message to the public that this dangerous practice is unacceptable." The GHSA believes that a ban nationwide would allow us to "begin to change the culture that has permitted distracted driving."
The GHSA's reversal comes on the heels of the publication of a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that found drivers increase their risk of being involved in a crash or near-crash by 23 times if they text while drive. The shocking results of the study undeniably influenced the GHSA's new position. GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey Jr. has since called texting while driving "dangerous" and something that "should not be tolerated."
Presently, fourteen states and the District of Columbia ban texting while driving, though other states are considering enacting similar laws. Local officials are acting as well. Cleveland, Ohio has instituted a ban, and the mayor of Toledo, Ohio called for a ban this month. Federally, Democratic lawmakers in Congress have called for states to pass new laws, and the Obama administration is planning to hold a summit on the issue of cell phone use and texting while driving this month.
