Texting While Driving--Could Anything Be More Stupid?

Ham on Wry has often experienced the "joy" of traveling behind someone talking on a cell phone while trying to negotiate busy roadways--something which is both irritating and unnerving.  These drivers typically speed up and down multiple times, inflaming the anger of drivers behind them. That situation is bad enough, but traveling behind someone texting while driving poses the ultimate danger to other drivers.  Note the picture above and imagine where the driver's attention lies. You guessed it! It is definitely not on traffic.

Florida is one of only 8 states that have no type of ban on texting while driving. Seven states have enacted laws that partially ban texting, and the remaining 35 states have banned texting entirely. Logically, Florida should add to the number of states that totally ban texting, But this is Florida, land of pandering to corporations despite the negative effects on citizens.

Florida's infinitely wise legislature (overwhelmingly Republican) predicts that a ban on texting has little likelihood of passing here. I don't suppose it has anything to do with cell phone companies using lobbyists to pressure legislators. Besides, why would we want to ban texting when it's so much fun to dodge the out-of-state drivers searching for signs, foreign drivers unfamiliar with driving on the right, and elderly drivers that should have surrendered their licenses long ago? Texting drivers only add to the endless hours of pleasure Florida driver enjoy during "the season." Why should we deprive anyone of multi-tasking while they drive, despite the deaths caused by their selfish pursuit of constant communication.

Here's why! No driver can safely pay attention to traffic patterns and other drivers while texting. The photo above shows the result of a texting driver that didn't see the accident waiting to happen. Get real, Florida! Ban texting behind the wheel for the sake of everyone who travels on our roads. If you're reading this, and you're guilty of texting while driving, stop it! Now!