“But IMO, texting while driving should be illegal, period, end of story.”
It does not need to be outlawed, instead we just need to enforce the current laws. I advocate that any driver that causes physical injury or property damage should be prosecuted for the corresponding crime, for example vehicular manslaughter. That should be the case for ANY negligant behaviour whild driving.
The problem is that the only time we use these laws is when DUI is also a factor, so now we have a bunch of drivers that think the ONLY dangerous driving is DUI.
> careless driving is already illegal > It does not need to be outlawed, instead we just need to enforce the current laws....the only time we use these laws is when DUI is also a factor...
Alcohol, per se, does not cause accidents. Intoxication, per se, does not cause accidents. Texting, per se, does not cause accidents. For that matter, engaging in an argument or phoning or having sex while driving do not cause accidents either, in and of themselves.
What causes accidents is lack of attention to driving, distraction away from what is ahead of or around your vehicle, resulting in lack of control of your vehicle.
My point is that _IF_ we prosecute DWI and DUI for alcohol or other drugs, we should also do so for other activities that cause similar dangerous levels of distraction.
It is well known and acknowledged that texting typically slows reaction and response times by MANY SECONDS where being drunk does so for mere TENTHS of a second -- yet that smaller level is considered enough to lock someone up for years and take away their license and livelihood.
I'm arguing for CONSISTENCY in the law.
I know.... losing proposition....