Texting While Driving; There Should Be Harsher Punishments People who text or use mobile devices while driving should receive the same punishment as those who drink while driving. In reality, distracted driving endangers more lives and damage more property than that of drunk driving. In fact, the current levels of injury and loss caused by distracted driving are unacceptable. In addition, fears about distracted driving seem to be increasing because more and more people are becoming concerned and at the same time informed about the risks of distracted driving. So far, forty-six states have passed laws to prohibit texting while driving, but when it comes sentencing; people are only penalized by either a warning or paying a fine.
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Thus far, numerous states have passed laws that certainly prohibit texting and the use of mobile devices while driving but still none of them is recommending hard time, only a light sentence at the most. For example, in Utah, a motorist will likely receive a 90-day jail sentence for texting while driving because it is only a Class C misdemeanor, “Gershowitz”. And in Alaska, the consequences of watching a screen device while driving (which comprises of TVs and other VDUs in addition to cell phones) is considered a Class A misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $ 10,000 and a possible jail sentence of one year in jail “Gershowitz”. Yet, even these states almost never impose any actual incarceration “ Gershowitz”. These are fairly lax punishments for texting while driving. Furthermore, a number of cities and counties around the nation have legislated laws against texting or using mobile devices while driving but there is no real punishment. There are countless hazards posed when motorists take their eyes off the road by either reading, typing or sending messages. These hazards have initiated these laws to grow even faster than laws punishing motorists who drink in drive. Since texting while …show more content…
"For years, there has been widespread opposition to texting behind the wheel," (Hersman). Currently, the polls show the public is behind tougher punishments as most people are aware that it will take more than awareness promotions to stop this unsafe behavior," (Hersman). Regardless of people 's views that think they can multitask, numerous research show that hands-free devices are no safer than handheld devices because the brain will still be preoccupied when speaking on the phone. However, there are those that oppose these views. For example, some people believe that it is their individual choice whether or not to use cellular phones since each motorist knows the impending dangers they could involve themselves with if they decide to text and drive. There should not be a law to dictate or prohibit one from texting and driving. In addition, there are other forms of distractions while driving besides texting and cellular phone use, and because of that, federal or state government should not have the right to make all forms of human distraction while driving unlawful. Yes, texting or using a cell phone while driving accounts for mishaps because it takes the motorists eyes off of the traffic lane, but other things can take a motorist 's
Thus far, numerous states have passed laws that certainly prohibit texting and the use of mobile devices while driving but still none of them is recommending hard time, only a light sentence at the most. For example, in Utah, a motorist will likely receive a 90-day jail sentence for texting while driving because it is only a Class C misdemeanor, “Gershowitz”. And in Alaska, the consequences of watching a screen device while driving (which comprises of TVs and other VDUs in addition to cell phones) is considered a Class A misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $ 10,000 and a possible jail sentence of one year in jail “Gershowitz”. Yet, even these states almost never impose any actual incarceration “ Gershowitz”. These are fairly lax punishments for texting while driving. Furthermore, a number of cities and counties around the nation have legislated laws against texting or using mobile devices while driving but there is no real punishment. There are countless hazards posed when motorists take their eyes off the road by either reading, typing or sending messages. These hazards have initiated these laws to grow even faster than laws punishing motorists who drink in drive. Since texting while …show more content…
"For years, there has been widespread opposition to texting behind the wheel," (Hersman). Currently, the polls show the public is behind tougher punishments as most people are aware that it will take more than awareness promotions to stop this unsafe behavior," (Hersman). Regardless of people 's views that think they can multitask, numerous research show that hands-free devices are no safer than handheld devices because the brain will still be preoccupied when speaking on the phone. However, there are those that oppose these views. For example, some people believe that it is their individual choice whether or not to use cellular phones since each motorist knows the impending dangers they could involve themselves with if they decide to text and drive. There should not be a law to dictate or prohibit one from texting and driving. In addition, there are other forms of distractions while driving besides texting and cellular phone use, and because of that, federal or state government should not have the right to make all forms of human distraction while driving unlawful. Yes, texting or using a cell phone while driving accounts for mishaps because it takes the motorists eyes off of the traffic lane, but other things can take a motorist 's