Talking and Driving Don't Mix

Written by Ruel Olanday Jr.

Attention all future and current drivers there has been a bill that has been processed that could possibly give you a ticket behind the wheel.              

On April 11th, the Senate had passed a bill forbidding cell phone usage while driving a motor vehicle. Currently, it is going through the process of becoming law and it is believed that the bill will soon be enforced next year on January 1st. Many members of the Senate and other districts have been trying to pass this bill since 2001, but many thought that it would be impossible to enforce the law as it is being difficult to stop and or even make prevent people from using their cell phones for emergencies. One unnamed Senator even stated, “What’s next the Cheese Burger law?”               

Statistics show that driving while using a cell phone is just as similar as driving drunk, even though the consequences of a talking on the cell phone isn’t as bad as getting the consequences of a DUI. Currently, the price of the ticket while talking on the cell phone is $101, which is similar to the seatbelt law, which enforces all passengers and drivers to “click it or ticket”. The only significant reason that the bill was reconsidered and then later passed was seeing the dramatic numbers of lives saved by enforcing the seat belt law. Why couldn’t the Senate see the effects of driving while speaking on a cell phone? Many can tell you that it is a distraction from the road. It took them almost six years to even reconsider the idea.            

It is also a great breather for many parents here at Franklin High School. They have a little bit more room to breath knowing that their children are a little more safer while driving on the road.              

A Franklin parent said, “It is wrong to even consider using the phone while driving, you’re putting my kids life in your hands, and that is absolutely not your right!”              

Driving while using a cell phone is a large issue for many drivers, but with today’s technology we can see many teens even texting while behind the wheel.              

Junior, Donna Quach said, “Once or twice I’ve actually seen someone text while they drive. It completely scares me. They probably lose complete attention to the road and probably get into a crash.” If you are even caught texting you will also be fined $101.               

Fear not, the cell phone law is only a secondary offense. Ashleigh Shoecraft said, “This means that you can only be ticketed if you have been pulled over for another offense, such as speeding, which is considered a first offense.“              

Only four other states (New York, California, New Jersey, and Connecticut) have passed this law enforced by the police officers. It makes everyone wonder why the bill hasn’t been passed throughout the nation.
Jefferson Wong, says, “I think it’s stupid not having it in all states, honestly it could save countless lives and prevent millions upon millions of daily car accidents. It is already said that every three seconds someone in the world gets into a car accident. I think this would definitely decrease that number. As we speak three people have probably gotten hit by a car. But maybe it all depends on the state; there are places that have more people than others.”             

Though this law will eventually be enforced there are still ways large loops holes into getting around them. It is alright to use any type of ear buds and blue tooth technology so long as you are not holding the actual cell phone to the ear. Also you are allowed to use your cell phones in emergencies              

We all know that many people here at Franklin can tell you that they have used a cell phone at least more then five times a week while driving. Junior Amanda Tran, said, “I do use the phone sometimes; it varies, on the types of phone calls I receive, but I do usually use my head set or turn on the blue tooth when answering important phone calls.               

It is a shame that such laws have to pass that basically instill common sense. Using a cell phone distracts your driving; it lowers your reaction time, and dramatically increases your probability of getting into a car accident. When it can save a life, it is definitely worth it.

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