Monday, November 7, 2011

Spotlight on a Felony in the Final Frontier

I was just doing some research on the laws in the U.S. More specifically, the laws the restrict actions like texting, or using any general electronic, specifically communication, devices, behind the the wheel.

On the East coast, where I live, we hardly ever hear anything of what goes on in Alaska, besides national subjects, such as the Palin family. I thought I would check to see if Alaska had any sort of restrictions on texting while driving. Being generally known for having the lowest population density in the entire country, and among the lowest of any inhabited area of Earth, I assumed that such laws in Alaska would be seen unnecessary and not pass.

To my surprise, though, Alaska is one of the 29 U.S. states that ban texting for all ages. In fact, while driving in the state of Alaska, you may not text or use any electronic device with a visual display, such as a small television or laptop. Also, the law does not specify texting as only being on a cell phone, like other states, but can be interpreted as having such a meaning. Alaska was actually one of the fourth state to pass a law to restrict texting while driving.

Although no sort of penalties are specified for such an offense, violators of this law will be guilty of misdemeanor, or a crime that the violator cannot be indicted on, however, if a person is killed as a result of the violation, the violator is guilty of a felony.

What I found surprising was the states known to be more populous, such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida, allow texting while driving. The only restriction on texting while driving in these states is a federal law passed in 2010, banning texting while driving for truckers and bus drivers.

As a last message, I remind all readers not to text and drive. Even if you think you are able to do it, the risks of the action are far too great. By texting while driving, you are endangering others on the road, pedestrians, passengers in your car, yourself, and others. On top of this, the effects of an accident caused by texting while driving are wide-reaching.

1 comment:

Think twice before you post. :)