Legislation was recenty proposed by Senator Chuck Schumer that would place a ban on text-messaging while behind the wheel. We have all heard the tragic stories of texting and driving, and the life altering (and sometimes ending) consequences that this seemingly harmless act can cause. While 14 states have already enabled similar proposals to be accepted, not all 50 states have incorporated the proposal.
As a means of motivation for these states to indoctrinate the ban, federal fincancing for highways would eventually be cut by 25% for the states who do not comply. In response, and in order to restore itself on top of the automaker industry, Ford has publicly stated that they agree with the proposal and that they back it. While most of the article is centered around Ford Motor Company and what heroes they are for backing the bill, I think we have a larger issue on our hands. I do not understand how only 14 out of 50 states have complied with this ban.
In my experienced opinion on the matter (as someone who has seen first hand and second hand how distracting and dangerous texting while driving is), I would go as far as to make the claim that texting and while driving is as dangerous as drinking while driving. While drinking and driving your reaction time may be slowed down, your depth perception may be miscalculated, and your motor skills will be below your normal skill level. HOWEVER.. if you are not even looking at the road, and instead have your eyes glued to a small telephone screen, your reaction time, depth perception, and motor skills are dwarfed by those of EVEN A DRUNK PERSON. In fact, your skill set is zero, zilch, nada... because you are not even driving the car. A 3500 pound steel machine is being driven at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour by a human who might as well have his or her eyes closed.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/business/11ford.html?_r=1
No comments:
Post a Comment