South Carolina’s legislature had been torn over this issue for several years. In my mind, we were long overdue for a statewide ban on texting and driving, as the number of auto accidents and casualties caused by distracted drivers grew each day.
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Texting and Driving Violates People's Right to Safety
Texting and Driving Violates People's Right to SafetySome argued against this regulation, claiming it infringes on people’s rights. They argued further that it is too intrusive. However, these arguments run contrary to the safety of our families. Studies show that the average driver is distracted by a text message long enough to drive more than 100 yards without looking up.
That is the equivalent of speeding down a football field with a blindfold on. I do not want my family on the road with that kind of danger. One injury or death due to texting is one too many. Likewise, if texting and driving is an issue of personal freedom, what greater freedom is there than the right to safety?
Teenagers, their passengers, and their families may have the most to gain from the ban on texting. In recent years, the number of teenage deaths caused by texting and driving accidents exceeded those involving DUI. It took the world a long time to come around to the idea of banning drinking and driving. It was past time to do the same to texting.
South Carolina’s lawmakers showed the gumption and common sense needed to outlaw texting while driving. In the coming years, our personal injury attorney hopes they strengthen these laws, as he wants the freedom to be on the roadways without the threat of legally permitted dangers to safety. And while we cannot completely erase the dangers of distracted driving any more than we can drunk driving, we can punish this dangerous behavior.
