Texting While Driving Laws No Deterrent to Teens
Texting and talking on cellphones while driving have become major problems on roads today, in Texas and across the nation. These activities have increased the number of Texas auto accidents as more and more individuals obtain personal mobile devices. What's alarming is that teens acknowledge the danger yet still text, talk and drive.
In a recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports Magazine, 63 percent of teen respondents said that talking on a handheld phone while driving was dangerous.
Additionally, thirty percent of respondents admitted to texting while driving within the last 30 days. Another eight percent admitted to using a smartphone app, and seven percent said they used their email or a form of social media while behind the wheel.
Understanding that distracted driving has become an issue, many states have passed laws banning the use of mobile devices in some form while driving. Texas, in particular, bans first-time drivers from using their cellphones in any form for the first 12 months and bus drivers from using their mobile devices while driving.
However, despite the states' proactive measures, it seems more is needed to combat the problem, particularly for teen drivers.
Source: The Beaumont Enterprise, "Teen drivers say texting while driving is dangerous but still do it," Carol Christian, May 8, 2012