At its next meeting Wednesday, Cincinnati City Council is likely to pass a law banning text messaging while driving. Similar measures have already passed in other cities including Cleveland. In addition, seven states prohibit the practice. Nine others ban novice drivers from texting. The editorial board of The Miami Student supports the city ban and would encourage expanding the measure to a statewide ban.
Texting while driving is unquestionably dangerous. Some have equated it to driving drunk. It diverts the driver's eyes from the road and attention from the task at hand. While few probably drive with both hands on the wheel anyway, texting makes it nearly impossible. The purpose of this law is to protect the safety of drivers tempted to text, but more importantly to protect other innocent drivers on the road from spacey texters.
Even though it will be difficult for the police to catch drivers breaking this particular law, the law isn't meant to raise revenue. Rather it is a deterrent measure, which has community safety at its heart. Having a law on the books, it is hoped, will discourage drivers, even if the police may have a hard time enforcing it. It won't eliminate the practice, but it may decrease the frequency. Also, it may start young drivers off on the right track and prevent the formation of the habit in the first place. Just like student drivers begin wearing their seatbelts more consistently during their education, the combination of impressionability and the fear of getting a ticket may encourage novice drivers to keep their fingers off the keyboard. It is particularly important that young drivers abide by this law. They are already prone to accidents, and text messaging just makes an accident more likely.
Texting while driving has caused many deadly accidents. This law is a question of safety. Like certain GPS devices automatically disable the keyboard when the car is in motion, people should mentally follow suit. When the car is running, text messaging must cease.
