A Deadly Addiction or: How I Learned to Stop Texting + Driving and Learned to Be Safe (in Vermont)

Are there problems enforcing this no texting-while-driving policy? What 'drives' people to do it?

Teen Driving

For years, American teens have had the ritual of get their license as early as they could but within the last few decades, it has changed. As a teen driver, I know how dangerous driving can be. After reading the article "Fewer Youths Jump behind the Wheel at 16", I found that there is a lot of information teens should know about driving. The article states some eye opening statistics. For example in the last decade, the proportion of 16-year-olds nationwide who hold driver’s licenses has plummeted from nearly half to less than one-third according to the Federal Highway Administration. The national rate of licensed 16-year-olds dropped to 29.8 percent in 2006 from 43.8 percent in 1998. The article goes on and talks about fatal accidents that teens could get themselves into. Many teens don't think about the dangers they could get themselves into when they drive. It is a big responsibility to be driving behind the wheel. Many teens (including myself) can't wait till they finally have the freedom of going anywhere they want. I believe the cost of getting your license at a young age is very costly. From driver education classes, gas prices, and car insurance costs are all major contributors to less teens getting their license at 16. Years ago, teens wouldn't sit in front of a computer or TV for hours on end. They were more motivated to get their license as early as they could. I believe teens have undergone a major change and becoming plain lazy. Some parents aren’t helping matters either. According to the article one girl’s mother said that she would be “happy to shuttle her daughter to swimming and cheerleader practice." Parents may want to protect their kids but they also might be instilling the wrong ideas into their teen’s minds that they can always fall back on their parents for everything.

Texting in Rhode Island

On Nov. 10, 2009, Rhode Island pasted a ban on texting and driving. It was the 19th state to pass a texting law. Texting and driving is the number one cause of teen death. Even though I don't text, I believe that it is extremely dangerous to text and drive. It can cause drivers to lose focus of what there doing and get in an accident.This law will help put driver's eyes back on the road where they should be.

The Laws:
It states that no one can text and drive. It also says that everyone under 18 can't us a cell phone at all but everyone 18 and older can make only phone calls when they drive.

Fines:
1st offense:$85
2nd offense: $100
3rd offense: $125

Here is the Providence Journal news article about texting in RI
http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/11/governor-signs-text-messaging.html

Texting while driving

Did you know Rhode Island is the 19th state to ban texting while driving? It has become a major cause in teen accidents. Just one text message forces you to look away and in that second anything could happen. You might think "It wont happen to me" or "im good at texting while driving", thats not always the case. If you text while drive you could get a $100 fine. If you are under age 18 you will have your license suspended for 60 days. There are much more serious things that could also happen. You could take away the life of other drivers on the road or even yourself. Hands free devices are recommended. If you need to text and/or call in an emergency, you should pull over. It is a much safer decision. Whatever you choose to do, i hope its the right choice.

Connecticut has Laws! (Seriously!)

Did you know that 34% of teens admit to texting while they drive? If you happen to be a part of that statistic, you may want to avoid driving in Connecticut. Now, while being 23 times more likely to get in an accident may not scare most of you careful texters out there, this new Connecticut law will ban reading, typing, and sending text messages while you drive. Unfortunately, trying to drive, text, and check around for cops simultaneously can be a bit tough at times. And if you fail, you'll end up getting your license suspended if you're under 18 and you'll have to pay a $125 restoration fee to get it back when your suspension ends, which can range from 30 days on your first offense to until you turn 18 on your second offense. It's definitely pretty harsh, especially considering text messaging only accounts for about 200,000 accidents a year. When you do turn 18, you can't even talk on your physical phone; you'll have to purchase one of those geeky bluetooth headsets or use some other hands-free accessory. If you prevent your urges and aren't confident of your driving skills, there are several apps that disable texting on your phone if you are moving at a speed greater than 10 miles an hour. Currently, there are 29 states that restrict cell phone usage for either novice or all drivers. You better watch out when you drive, because with this new generation growing up without properly learning how to text and drive, we may see a record wave of car accidents.

Massachusetts and Texting

Did you guys know that it is now illegal to text and drive in Massachusetts? Well it is now! As of September 30th, this law has taken affect for all of Massachusetts. So, that means if you are caught texting while driving in Massachusetts, then you will get up to a $500 fine depending on how many times you have been caught. You could possibly end up in jail! If you are under 18 you can't use your phone at all while driving but if you are 18 or older then you can use your phone driving but can't text. So, i just wanted to say.....DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!!!!!