Dum 2 Txt While U Drive
NEIRAD enilno edition
The 21st century social society has been using texting as the new way of communication. But since when did it become dangerous? The popularity of this form of communication has formed a bad habit for Darien teens behind the wheel. Although the portability of cell phones makes it easier to multi-task while talking on the phone, it is not always safe.
“I would never text while driving because it would distract me easily and something that small should not cost someone their life,” sophomore Maggie Drake said.
In the year 2008 nearly 6,000 people died in car crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver. More than a half a million were hurt. These statistics have caused many to become much more aware of the danger of this newer form of communication.
Ninety- seven percent of Americans support the prohibition of texting while driving. Not only that, but 50 percent said the punishment for texting while driving should be just as severe as for drunken driving. However, if caught texting while driving one can be charged a fine that averages $167. This new fine goes into effect Feb. 1. Connecticut joins 18 other states where it is illegal to send or receive a text message or e-mail while driving.
Darien Police see far too much texting behind the wheel. The difficult part is definitively nailing down when a person is doing it. “There are definitely issues with texting while driving. It is hard to put a finger on whether a car crash was caused from texting because usually there is no evidence and the person does not want to admit to it. However, when we see a car a little bit jerky in a lane and we get up close and then you can tell that they are texting," Darien Police Department Sergeant Marron Jeremiah said.
Sergeant Marron also advises against punching out a quick text at the light. "It is a very dangerous. Although texting at a stop light seems okay it is not the greatest idea. That still is considered to be a “distracted driver” and one could get fined. The best thing to do when responding to a text is to pull over and then respond.”
Phillipa Curtis, a 22-year-old from Oxford, England killed Victoria McBryde, an up-and-coming university-trained fashion designer because she was texting while driving. The accident prompted the British government to increase the penalty to four to seven years in jail for this fatal offense.
To stop this common accident Connecticut has put in several hundred thousand dollars to fund the Highway Traffic Safety Administration for enforcement, education on awareness centered on distracted driving.
People always think the worst will never happen to them. But accidents are very common. Senior Becca D' Andrea and freshman Matty D'Andrea experienced an unfortunate death in their family from texting while driving one year ago. Tyler Yates, the D’Andrea’s cousin, was 21 years old when he was killed last February. Tyler, a resident of Guilford, Conn. got into the accident after spending the evening out. Tyler was texting his friend for directions home when he drove into a wall on Route 17 in Durham, Conn.
“I never thought anything like this would happen to anyone I moderately knew. Now I am more aware of how dangerous texting while driving is. I'll be honest I used to do it all the time but now I don't do it because I've experienced the danger and tragedy of texting while driving first hand. I realized how in one split second texting while driving can take a life away, and how it affects not only you, but the people who surround you as well,” Becca said.
Texting while driving is not something to take lightly. The tragedy the D'Andrea family had to go through is a perfect example of how one text message can take away a life.
Is texting someone back immediately, compared to a little later really worth losing your or someone else’s life?
