Bill Would Ban Text Messaging While Driving

By Connect Mason Reporter Gabriella Leone

Virginia’s General Assembly is taking into account a set of bills that would ban text messaging on cell phones while operating a vehicle. Under this new proposal, text messaging, also referred to as “texting,” while driving a car, motorcycle, moped, bicycle and electric wheelchair would be considered a misdemeanor. The punishment would be a fine of $250.00 plus court fees.

Del. James M. Scott (D-Fairfax) said, “Anything that takes one or two hands off the wheel is dangerous, but texting is the most dangerous because it demands two hands most of the time.”

Virginia legislators have tried three times before to pass these pairs of bills but have been unsuccessful. Last year, it became illegal for minors under 18 to send text messages or take pictures while driving, but minors can only be stopped if they have committed another offense.

According to a survey done by Harris Interactive and supported by Pinger, Inc., a mobile messaging service, 57 percent of Americans admit to sending text messages while driving. Psychology research at the University of Utah showed that writing and reading text messages while driving increases one’s chances of an accident by 50 percent.

“I have, countless amounts of times, almost gotten into an accident either because I was trying to text and drive at the same time myself, or because someone else was texting while driving” said sophomore Austin Hills.

Junior Embry Collins argued, “There are already laws across many states banning the use of cell phone conversations while driving already. Adding texting…would disable us from conversing…and this would conflict with many business and personal calls that are very important.”

So far, California, Connecticut, Ohio, New Jersey and New York have all passed laws against talking on cell phones while driving. In May 2007, Washington became the first state to ban texting while operating a motor vehicle.

Sophomore Marc Arvanitis believes text messaging while driving should be banned because “the bill has potential to save lives by making those in control and aware of their surroundings.”

If passed, the law will be in effect by July 1.