I've got terrible road rage. I blame my father. He has it too.
Over the years, I've tried to fight the urge to yell at drivers who can't hear me, chase drivers who cut me off and deliver a well-placed middle finger to drivers who piss me off. I'm usually good about not doing the last two, although I can't seem to curb my appetite to yell obscenities at people who obviously slept through driver's ed.
But thanks to the Tennessee General Assembly, there's one less thing drivers can now do to insight my road rage. Gov. Phil Bredesen signed the "texting while driving" bill into law early last month. It prohibits a person from writing or reading text messages while driving a vehicle.
Like any good legislation, there are people who are above the law. Exemptions include police officers and medical workers - when both are "in the actual discharge of their official duties."
The law does not apply to people who are in a vehicle when it is not moving. So if you wanted to text it up with a friend, make sure you do it at a stoplight. Entering a telephone number to call someone is also allowed. So texting is bad, but flipping through your contact list is a-OK.
Tennessee is not the first state to take a stance against cell phones on the road. Many other states actually prohibit the use of cell phones while driving all together. Some prohibit handhelds, but allow speakers and headsets. Comparatively, Tennessee is actually pretty chill on cell phones and driving.
While flipping through coverage on the texting and driving legislation, two sides became very clear. One thinks the legislation is unnecessary. Tennessee already has a "driving while distracted" law that allows officers to ticket someone who is obviously impaired - perhaps by a text message.
The second group applauds legislatures for protecting our roads - one less evil to distract people while operating a 5,000-pound death machine.
Honestly, I just think it's a sad day when we have to make common sense law. I've texted and driven - on empty roads with no one around or while sitting in traffic. Texting while driving is dangerous if you put yourself in a dangerous situation.
It has gotten to a point where people seem more preoccupied with doing everything but driving in their cars. I've seen everything from eating morning breakfast to putting on makeup. On one occasion I saw a woman driving with her knees so she could text.
Technology is amazing, but we are starting to use it more like an idiocracy rather than a society full of intelligent individuals. It takes very little effort to visualize the negative ramifications of texting while driving - just think about ramming your car into a tree at 70 mph.
But for those who still want to text and drive - fear not. The law does not take effect until July 1. So enjoy your last month of being able to text and drive without a $50 ticket.
ORIGINALLY POSTED: www.mtsusidelines.com on June 3, 2009.
1 comment:
Yep, today is the day. No texting by drivers. Right? Unless the new law is enforced rather than ignored by LEOs as most other minor traffic transgressions are ignored, I doubt much will come of it until the first time TWD is implicated as the cause for a fatality.
And for grins and giggles, who's going to challenge texting drivers who may be packing since another new law allows those with permits to carry their lethal toys almost anywhere.
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