TEXTING: Please don't text and drive
About 300,000 people are injured each year due to a car crash caused by texting while driving. Obviously, texting while driving plays a significant role in the number of deaths and losses each year from a car crash.
America and other countries are so attached and dependent on electronics today that many people believe that electronics, preferably cell phones, should go with them everywhere including the roads. This of course means while driving, and that leads to distracted drivers maneuvering their vehicles. Like many other people, I am deeply disappointed that we allow this to go on. I encourage you to stop texting while you drive and save your, and possibly others', lives. Completely banning it would be more concrete, but until that happens, stop texting mid-drive. Pull over to the side of the road and park. Do whatever you possibly can not to multitask while driving a two-ton vehicle.
At least states have wisely put the brake on this action. However, Idaho is still pondering the matter of outlawing texting while driving.
Even if you are an experienced multitasker, sending a text on the road slides your driving capability down to the abilities of a drunk driver. Like drunk drivers, you can weave out of lanes without noticing, forget turn signals when turning, and speed through red lights without a blink of regret, sadly. In the typical five seconds that it takes to send a text message, the driver covers more than the length of a football field without paying attention to the road.
Additionally, over 60 percent of our country text behind the wheel. This applies not only to teens, but to adults as well. Bus drivers, truck drivers, even train conductors will be texting while operating their vehicles. I must emphasize that everyone seems to be committing this crime!
To further halt the ability to text while driving, I would recommend writing letters to the senators of our state. You can find lists of senators' names, faxes, emails, and addresses at the Website www.legislature.idaho.gov/senate/senate.htm. Senator John Goedde is backing the bill on outlawing texting while driving in Idaho and is a great person to share your concerns with as well
To sum it up, do you want to get killed in a car accident due to a simple, distracting text message? If not, stop texting so you won't be in an accident.
EMILY DANFORTH
6th grade, River City Middle School
Post Falls