HometownSource Blogs

Let’s take a moment here to discuss one of my biggest pet peeves: text messaging while driving.

Recently Gov. Pawlenty signed a transportation bill that will make it illegal for anyone, regardless of age, to send or receive e-mails or text messages while driving. Read the Strar Tribune’s article here.
Personally, I think this is good. I mean really, how could anyone be able to pay attention to the road when they’re busy reading and typing. And have you ever been in the car with someone while they’re driving and texting? It’s straight up scarey.

My fiance’ is a fan of the texting and driving. Granted, that I know of, he’s never got in an accident from it, but it still bothers me. To me, it’s the most frightening experience to be sitting in the passenger seat and see brake light up ahead. But then, look over at the driver, wondering why he’s still cruising along at 70, to realize, he’s looking at his phone and has no idea the 18-wheeler in front of us isn’t moving.

Now I know it’s kind of one-sided of me since this new law won’t effect me at all.

No. 1 – I had the text messaging option turned off on my phone to ensure I don’t end up with a huge bill.

No. 2 – I’m barely coordinated enough to change the radio while shifting gears, never mind trying to do it will sending a message about my Friday night plans. Therefore, even when I had a texting plan, I never partook in the insanity while driving.

However, I do have a slight issue with the new legislature. It’s not strict enough.

I know, I know. Everyone swears they can talk on a cell phone while driving, and they’re completely paying attention to the road. I challenge that.

I drive 70 miles a day just to get back and forth to work. I drive down Highway 10 for 35 minutes each way. And 99 percent of the time, when someone is in the left land cruising at about 50 miles per hour, when I pass them, they’re on a cell phone.

Or the person, who’s swerving all over their lane, coming within inches of the side of my car, yeah, when I go to beep and mouth some unprofessional words at them, yup, they’re on a cell phone.

Most people I know are hard core against the idea of banning cell phone use. But you know what? It’s been done in many other states, and it seems to be just fine.

Which actually brings me to another point. And please, someone point out where I’m wrong, but it seems like Minnesota doesn’t really like to change much. For example, we were the last state to change the legal limit from .10 to .08, and even then people complained. And then we’re one of only a few states to not have a primary seat belt law, and we’ve already heard the controversy surrounding that.

So I ask, what is wrong with the government wanting us to be safe, or is it that the fines and all make it seem like maybe officials are over stepping their boundaries?

Now on a quick side note. I just wanted to add one more reason why people don’t need to talk and/or text and drive. Cause it’s time to give yourself a break.

If it’s work related, don’t pick it up. You deserve 30 minutes to listen to the radio, roll down the window on a sunny day and go home. And if you’re the kind of person who needs to know exactly what’s going on with all of your friends at all times, wait until you get home. Sit on the couch, enjoy catching up. Be nice enough to give the person on the other line your 100 percent attention.

As a society, I’m starting to think we just work and worry, work and worry, never giving ourselves a break. Now do we not only never stop, but thanks to things like cell phones and e-mail, we never stop doing three things at once.