Editorial

Driver distraction

2/3/2010

There are so many things people can do in a car in addition to the actual act of driving: eat, set the GPS, put on makeup, talk on the phone, even singing along to the radio can take over as the main event as the driver perfects their rendition of Lady Gaga's latest hit.

With all these distractions, the Michigan House and Senate have recently decided texting is the biggest problem, and a final version of the proposed ban on the activity awaits approval. Under the proposed legislature, texting would be a secondary offense deserving of a fine, meaning an officer would have to stop the driver for some other infraction and then find evidence of the texting-while-driving charge.

Though texting has become a staple in communication, some people still have not truly mastered the skill. We've all seen those people who are not quite up to the multitasking challenge of simply walking while texting, much less driving a large vehicle at high speeds down an icy, Michigan road and simultaneously typing out the latest traffic update to their friends.

Texting while driving is definitely a distraction and any form of distracted driving should not be condoned. However, one has to wonder if this is really a matter for law enforcement.

There is no law requiring people to adjust their mirrors before pulling out of the driveway. There is no law stating drivers must check their blind spots before merging lanes. Yet, people do these things anyway as a common safety measure; why should texting be treated any differently?

Drivers need to maintain certain safety standards for their own sake as well as for others on the road. We cannot expect police officers to uphold the safety of our streets by regulating every little aspect of what constitutes safe driving. People need to use common sense and caution when traveling to the various activities of their everyday lives.

Texting is not the root of all traffic evil. Though it is a distraction, there are many distractions and it is up to each individual driver, not the Michigan government, to take responsibility for staying focused on the main task at hand- getting everyone to point B safely.

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