Banning Handheld Devices While Driving in Arizona

I applaud the efforts of the Texas legislature, who gave final approval to House Bill 55 in May of this year. The bill outlaws use of handheld devices in school crossing zones. If people believe that this issue is dangerous enough to want to protect our children from it, shouldn’t we want to protect all people from it?

I recently blogged about texting while driving, and after everything I learned while researching for that, I am very disheartened that we haven’t been able to pass more legislation banning or restricting handheld devices while driving here in Arizona.

In my last blog I mentioned a video that was circulating, http://www.engadget.com/tag/textingwhiledriving/, if you haven’t watched it yet please do but remember it is very graphic. However, I believe that it hits the nail right on the head. I think every one of our legislators should watch it.

Recently, the national association representing state highway safety officials has reversed its stand on text messaging while driving. Now---hopefully, we will see more legislation actually being approved. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) had stated earlier that laws banning texting while driving would prove impossible to enforce, and therefore did not support them. Are you kidding me????? They are refusing to pass a law because enforcement will be difficult??? Um, OK---so the hell what!!!! They said the same thing about seat belts, probably the same thing about alcohol consumption (the open container law), and I am sure there are others. Pass the law!!!!! A good percentage of the people will stop just because it is the law! Others will not, but I am sure that those others will disobey the law whatever it might be.

Recently, GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey Jr. stated, “We want to send the strongest message possible about texting behind the wheel – it is dangerous and should not be tolerated.” The GHSA now points out that there were challenges to seat belt laws also before they became common practice. OK---duh!

Look at the Arizona Driver’s License Manual. In section 1, it states “You should be able to operate the horn and each of the other instruments without taking your eyes off of the road.” In section 2, Safe Driving Practices, it states “Defensive driving means being constantly aware of the driving conditions,” and “You must develop the habit of keeping your mind on driving.” It also states “there is a potential accident in every minor distraction.”

I really cannot believe that we are all in THAT big of a hurry that we have to immediately respond to that text at the moment we receive it. I have to admit—I have done this while driving---until I watched the above video. My wife now has express permission to take my phone away from me if she sees otherwise. If the Arizona legislature is too damn dumb to take the right steps, then it is up to those of us with enough common sense to police ourselves. Please watch the link above. If afterward, you still think it is OK to text while driving, here is my email address CZachar@zacharlaw.com. Please send me an email when you are on the road, and I will make sure that I get the hell off.