Texting while driving has been the topic of many news stories and conversations lately. On October 2nd, 2009 this issue reached new heights. President Obama signed an executive order banning federal employees from texting while driving. The order bans texting while driving a car provided by the government or while driving any car using a government provided cell phone. The rule also applies when employees are using their own cars and phones but conducting government business. The ban will eventually seek to restrict bus drivers and truckers who cross state lines from using cell phones while driving. Transportation Secretary, Ray H. LaHood called this issue "a deadly epidemic of distracted driving." Hood believes that this ban on federal employees will show other publics the seriousness of distracted driving. University of Utah professor, David Strayer studies distracted driving has been quoted saying "[banning texting] makes people feel good and makes it look like you’re doing something, but you’re not tackling the more difficult problem...It misses the larger point.”
My question is, what is the larger point? People who text and drive know the risk they are taking. So why are there so many people that continue to do it? Why is is that we have to be communicating in one way or another all the time? How many car accidents, deaths, and close calls do people have to see to make it clear?
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