Novice Drivers

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th) “ As of September 2010, 30 states as well Washington, D.C., have passed laws prohibiting text messaging for all drivers. An additional eight states bas so-called novice drivers from texting while driving. (The definition of “novice drivers” differs by state; in Mississippi, for example, it refers to drivers who have their learner’s permit or provisional license, while in Missouri a novice driver is anyone aged 21 and younger.) Two of the eight states that restrict texting for novice drivers--Oklahoma and Texas--also prohibit school bus drivers from texting while driving is considered to be a primary offense, meaning that police officers can pull over drivers if they catch them in the act of texting. In Iowa, Nebraska, New York and Virginia, …show more content…
First, a fact about texting and driving; “The turning point in the U.S., researchers say--the approximate moment when text messaging overtook cell-phone talking in popularity--occurred toward the end of 2007. According to Nielsen Mobile, a research firm that tracks wireless technology usage, the average American was sending and receiving approximately 218 text messages each month by the fourth quarter of 2007, compared with a monthly average 213 cell phone calls placed and received. It was the first time Americans had used their cell phones more for texting than for talking, a trend that seems unlikely to reverse any time soon” (Issues 2). The first idea to stop texting and driving is by using software blockage. “ Several people have already started to put this to the test. For example, “One product , OrigoSafe, is gaining traction across the nation, equipping commercial fleets with its ignition interlock system. Another, No Text No Wrecks, says it’s ready for a major launch and is aimed at parents monitoring their children’s texting and driving” (Faulkner 1). What inspired these people to create these programs were from their own personal losses. People that have installed OrigoSafe have already seen a dramatic change. “Through Origo does some consumer sales, most of its business is with commercial fleets. ‘We have a customer that’s had it installed for about 16 months,’ Williams said. ‘Before they …show more content…
Many states do have laws in place but these only apply to “minors or novice drivers” or “while driving in school areas” (Gostin 2). It is impossible to think that laws only applying to a certain driver or area will effectively solve the issue. In order to solve the problem new laws that apply to the broader public need to be created. Studies show that when a person is scared of being fined or put in jail they are less likely to do so (“Issues 1). Creating all inclusive law would solve and help prevent accidents that are caused by texting and driving. In fact only 1% of the united states population believes that texting and driving is safe (“Issues” 1). However, 47% of the population admitted to texting and driving (“By the Numbers” 1). It is safe to assume that if a person has fear of being fined, they will be less likely to break the law. As all solutions, this is not a perfect solution. There is always the fear of public backlash. Many times people claim that these laws infringe their basic rights. They even go as far as saying that the government is attempting to fully control the public’s lives.These people to not understand the threat to the public caused by texting and driving. Studies show that “ texting removes the eye from the road for about five seconds” (“By the Numbers” 1). The distraction could result fatally. Despite the flaws in laws

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