Xylan K. Epps
MC301 Contributor
The state of Mississippi is now pushing towards a bill to make texting while driving a thing of the past. The bill will also prevent drivers from using social while driving as well.
Over the years, the legality has been an ongoing debate in many state governments. The bill was presented in 2014 but did not make it to a vote.
So far, 44 states have made it illegal, while Mississippi is one of the six states that have not.
In a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to countries such as Spain, France and the United Kingdom, the U.S. has about 31 percent of drivers who text and drive. In Spain only about 15 percent of drivers text and drive.
The plan also wants to limit drivers from reading, writing, or sending a text according to the Associated Press. If this law is violated, those caught would be expected to pay a $25 fee and $100 for subsequent violations.
According to textinganddrivingsafety.com, text messaging make it 23 times more likely that a crash will happen compared to if one was making or taking a phone call, which is less than three times more likely.
“People should not text and drive. You can have your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, which is the same time it would take to travel a football field without looking at the road,” said Jason Scott, a public information officer with the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
According to the CDC, in 2012, at least 3,208 people were killed in car accidents involving drivers who were distracted. It also states that 31 percent of people ranging from ages 18-64 have sent or read messages while driving.
“I don’t think you should (text and drive) because the moment you look down, it could be your accident,” said Emon Beckham, a junior biology major from Atlanta, Ga.
AT&T did a survey to see how many of their teen customers texted while driving. With 97 percent of them saying it was dangerous, 47 percent admitted that they actually text and drive.
Some drivers, however, believe that texting while driving is not a big concern.
“No, because I use my command voice, but at the same time yes, because it can be dangerous…but I feel if you’re paying attention, then it doesn’t matter,” said Isaac Hill, a junior biology major from Clinton, Miss.
In an effort to combat accidents caused by texting and driving, some companies have developed new talk-text smart phone technology allows the consumer to speak what you would normally text and the message to the person you are trying to send it to.
But even with this technology, some states are still being careful, making it illegal to use a phone while driving.
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