Texting, the Dangerous Realities
Cell phones are rapidly becoming just as dangerous as the traditional drunk driver in Utah and more specifically in Logan due to the distractions that text messaging has on drivers.
Text message related accidents are on the up-rise and according to an article written by Matt Richtel of the New York Times offenders could now face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of texting behind the wheel. Driven to Distraction Several months ago in Cache Valley, two scientists were killed and others were injured due to a driver that was texting while driving. It didn’t take the state of Utah long after that to pass the nation’s strongest law to prevent texting while behind the wheel.
Utah has set up a system of penalties that directly relates to the damage done and number of times a person has broken this law. According to an article written by KSL Studio5 in Utah,Zero Fatalities first time offenders can receive a Class C misdemeanor and could spend up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. Second time offenders and drivers who hurt someone can receive a Class B misdemeanor and could spend up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine. If a driver kills someone while texting behind the wheel they could receive a fine of $10,000 and or 15 years in prison.
"Texting while driving is not only difficult but really distracting," said Kallie Zachman, a Utah State student. "It really bothers me to see people looking down at their phones and not at the traffic ahead of them." As any driver knows, the normal distractions of driving are enough to try and handle and trying to avoid them while texting only raises the chance of future accidents.
So what have research studies shown us about the dangers of texting while driving? According to KSL Studio5 in Utah, "Talking on a cell phone while driving is as risky as driving with a .08 blood alcohol level." (University of Utah) Also, "A study of truck drivers showed that texting while driving can increase their risk of crashing by 23 percent." (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute).
According to a 2003 Harvard Study, Distracted Driving posted on the Utah Public Radio’s website, "Cell phone distractions cause 2,600 traffic deaths every year according to a 2003 Harvard study, and a 2007 NHTSA study found that at any time during daylight hours, 11 percent (1.8 million) drivers were using a cell phone. A recent series of articles in the New York Times, under the title of Driven to Distraction has shown a spotlight on the problem of distracted driving, including texting and talking on a cell phone while driving."
"Why can’t people just drive while they are in their cars," said Mike Stewart, public relations major at USU. "I know I don’t like drunk drivers but when is society going dislike drivers who text as much as we dislike drunk drivers," said Stewart. "It is not worth the risk."
In most states for a prosecutor to charge a texting driver with what is known as recklessness, they have to be able to convince the judge and jury that the texting driver knew what risks were involved with texting behind the wheel. According to Richtel, "In Utah, the law now assumes people understand the risks." "Texting while driving has never and never will be a good idea," said Zachman. "It’s not worth it to me to have to pay a fine for sending a stupid text to a friend and life is to precious to waste on a text."
