At work, in class, in bed or walking, text messaging has become a regular part of daily life. But Michigan residents may soon be putting down the Blackberry — at least while operating a vehicle. If two new bills pass the legislature, text messaging while driving may soon be banned
Though no laws currently exist to prohibit Michigan drivers from text messaging while behind the wheel, a bill will soon be considered that would make it an offense. If the bill passes, offenders would receive a fine and two points on their driver’s licenses.
Eighteen other states have already passed similar bans, the most recent of which was Illinois.
Lt. Renee Bush of the Ann Arbor Police Department said she supports the initiative. Though she said she has not dealt with any car accidents caused by text messaging, she recognizes the potential danger text messaging poses.
“We want people to be safe,” she said. “So we’d prefer they minimize distractions, especially in a heavily domestic area like Ann Arbor.”
In July, The New York Times reported the findings of a once-secret National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, which concluded that drivers are four times as likely to cause a car accident if they are using a cell phone.
The study also found the likelihood of a cell phone-using driver getting into an accident is the same as someone with a blood alcohol level of .08, the level of legal intoxication.
Initially, State Rep. Lee Gonzales (D–Flint) introduced a bill to the House Transportation Committee calling for text messaging while driving to be classified as a secondary offense. In other words, a driver would need to be pulled over for an offense like speeding or weaving in lanes, both primary offenses, and only then could be charged with text messaging while driving.
But recently, the bill’s sponsors altered it to include more serious penalties.
Tim Sneller, legislative director for State Rep. Gino Polidori (D–Dearborn), said the representative decided to change the bill after receiving new information about the dangers of text messaging while driving.
“Statistics have shown text messaging causes accidents. Many groups have confirmed that,” Sneller said. “What is so damn important? If you want to text, pull over to the side of the road.”
The new bills have not yet been introduced to the House Transportation Committee.
Engineering freshman Pam Haupt said she felt frustrated with text messaging drivers.
“Texting while driving is worse than using your cell phone,” Haupt said. “You get on the freeway and people are all over the road.”
Though Haupt agreed with the initiative, she admitted to sometimes text messaging while at a stoplight.
Engineering freshman Andy Scheffer said he would also be in favor of the ban because he feels it would help increase safety on the roads.
“I saw a guy driving the other day with his knees and texting,” Scheffer said. “It makes me worried about my own safety.”