Widespread habit shows its danger
Luke Taylor
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
Carrie Staudt didn't have a chance.
Staudt, senior public relations major, was text messaging while driving down Seventh Street in Joplin when her car became the third vehicle in a wreck that had already happened.
"I was trying to edit the contact's phone number, which is hard through text," she said. "I looked up and there's no brake lights or anything cause the accident had already happened…I just slammed on my brakes and ran right into them."
Staudt's airbags deployed. Her cell phone went flying from her hand. Her sunglasses were knocked from her face.
In the end, her vehicle was declared a total.
"The accident already happened, and I was too busy texting to even notice."
Staudt is just one of many drivers who has been in a car accident related to texting while driving. Missouri legislature was enacted last August which penalizes drivers under 21 for texting while driving.
However, many Missouri Southern students are confused about why it only applies to that age group.
"I think it should be all ages," said Joel Maxwell, freshman general studies major. "It should be like one of them deals where if they pull you over for something…and they notice you're texting, you should get a fine."
Also, the law has proven hard to enforce. An article published in The Kansas City Star reported that since the law came into effect in August, only 13 tickets have been issued. The reason for this low number may be because it is hard to tell from a distance how old a driver may be. KSPR reported Missouri to be the only of 22 states to enforce this law for a certain age.
Besides just in Missouri, there have been nationwide restrictions as well.
The Washington Post said in a Feb. 1 article that the U.S. has banned truckers and bus drivers from texting and driving. Last October, President Barack Obama placed a restriction on federal workers from doing the same, according to The New York Times.
But there are still many who have a hard time resisting.
"If I was a parent, I wouldn't want my child doing it," said Mikayla Harding, sophomore dental hygiene major. "But I'm not gonna lie, I do it."
The South Bend Tribune gives a few tips about how to beat the urge to text and drive.
"Remove temptation by turning off the cell phone, and then reply to voice mails and text messages after driving is completed," it suggested. The South Bend Tribune also said to let those who text you know when you will be driving and encouraged parents to set a good example for their kids by not texting and driving.
One final tip it gave was to put your phone out of reach.
Staudt may have benefited from doing that, but she has learned her lesson now.
"Don't text and drive, because I learned something from that experience," she said. "I do not text and drive now, but [it's] better to learn without wrecking your car."
Staudt, senior public relations major, was text messaging while driving down Seventh Street in Joplin when her car became the third vehicle in a wreck that had already happened.
"I was trying to edit the contact's phone number, which is hard through text," she said. "I looked up and there's no brake lights or anything cause the accident had already happened…I just slammed on my brakes and ran right into them."
Staudt's airbags deployed. Her cell phone went flying from her hand. Her sunglasses were knocked from her face.
In the end, her vehicle was declared a total.
"The accident already happened, and I was too busy texting to even notice."
Staudt is just one of many drivers who has been in a car accident related to texting while driving. Missouri legislature was enacted last August which penalizes drivers under 21 for texting while driving.
However, many Missouri Southern students are confused about why it only applies to that age group.
"I think it should be all ages," said Joel Maxwell, freshman general studies major. "It should be like one of them deals where if they pull you over for something…and they notice you're texting, you should get a fine."
Also, the law has proven hard to enforce. An article published in The Kansas City Star reported that since the law came into effect in August, only 13 tickets have been issued. The reason for this low number may be because it is hard to tell from a distance how old a driver may be. KSPR reported Missouri to be the only of 22 states to enforce this law for a certain age.
Besides just in Missouri, there have been nationwide restrictions as well.
The Washington Post said in a Feb. 1 article that the U.S. has banned truckers and bus drivers from texting and driving. Last October, President Barack Obama placed a restriction on federal workers from doing the same, according to The New York Times.
But there are still many who have a hard time resisting.
"If I was a parent, I wouldn't want my child doing it," said Mikayla Harding, sophomore dental hygiene major. "But I'm not gonna lie, I do it."
The South Bend Tribune gives a few tips about how to beat the urge to text and drive.
"Remove temptation by turning off the cell phone, and then reply to voice mails and text messages after driving is completed," it suggested. The South Bend Tribune also said to let those who text you know when you will be driving and encouraged parents to set a good example for their kids by not texting and driving.
One final tip it gave was to put your phone out of reach.
Staudt may have benefited from doing that, but she has learned her lesson now.
"Don't text and drive, because I learned something from that experience," she said. "I do not text and drive now, but [it's] better to learn without wrecking your car."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
TrySafetyFirst
posted 2/04/10 @ 4:01 PM CST
There is an easy solution:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0kdmDXhkC8
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