After reading Thomas Hemphill's article "Just How Dangerous Is Talking and Driving?" in The American, however, The Motley Monk sides in part with the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) that the nation's 50 states should ban all drivers from texting while driving. (The NTSB ban goes farther: All drivers would be banned from using portable electronic devices while driving, that is, using cell phones and texting.)
The data in support of this ban?
A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study in July 2009 indicated the dangers associated with texting while driving:
- Texting while driving increased the probability of a crash by a factor of 20.
- Dialing a cell phone increased the risk of accident by a factor of 2.8 and that risk drops to 1.3 when only talking.
The study's results indicate that texting is by far more dangerous than merely talking. In contrast, the risks associated with dialing or talking on a cell phone while driving are equivalent to the risks associated with other distractions that can occur while driving.
Currently, 35 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam ban texting while driving. 9 states and the District of Columbia ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones. 30 states prohibit all cell phone use for beginner drivers.
The Motley Monk thinks it time to ban texting while driving even though doing so would increase government.
Why?
Driving is not a human right but a privilege. Putting others' lives in jeopardy while exercising that privilege is irresponsible, similar to the ban on driving while under the influence.
Let the discussion begin...
To read Thomas Hemphill's article in The American, click on the following link:
http://www.american.com/archive/2012/january/just-how-dangerous-is-talking-and-driving
Here's my general take on why, even though I am a free market proponent, I have always promoted restrictions on driving behavior:
ReplyDeleteWelfare is maximized in free markets because all exchange is voluntary and mutually agreed upon. When driving, I do not agree to have an exchange with you. When you text or drink or in any way become distracted, you unilaterally decide to make my life miserable. I don't want that; I do not agree to having that transaction.
So, yes, as a free market proponent, I want distracted drivers kept away from me. The only way to do that, since we can't have Michael Jensen's proposal of equipping all cars with a giant spike in the center of the steering wheel, is to restrict your behavior.
The best solution is the Jensen one - imagine how safely everyone would drive if they had a spike in the middle of their steering wheel!
Yes, imagine looking down at a 5 inch spike aimed directly at one's abdomen. A sobering prospect, indeed!
ReplyDeleteI completely concur with the texting ban whilst driving. I would not allow teenagers to drive and use their cell phone either.
ReplyDeleteCongratulation, TMM. You seem to be stepping away from the very deep end you've been walking toward.
Yes, of course, you concur completely, Mavronius. You see an opening here, as you think I am slowly beginning to embrace the principle implied in your much-cherished maxim "the more government, the better government" which TMM translates as "I ain't seen a government regulation I don't like." (Sorry about the use of a double negative, but I was texting as I posted this comment.)
ReplyDeleteLet's make the roads safe!
ReplyDeleteNo texting...
No cell phone use, not even handsfree....
Outlaw SYNC, Outlaw voice activated anything...
No eating or drinking...
Ban all drive-thru's-the food Nazi's will love that...
No mirrors to put on make-up....
No cd listening....
No GPS to distract...
No no talk radio, no sports, no music!
Just remember YOU CAN"T FIX STUPID...
Pass as many laws as you like.... Good luck.
Stupid people will still do stupid things and good people will die.
I think its time that we outlaw texting while driving.
ReplyDeleteThere are those who say that trying to stop a behavior that comes naturally to people, like texting while driving, is bound to fail.
I don't think its natural for us to text while driving. Some of us actually don't text while driving because they know that it is a dangerous activity.
Moreover, assuming arguendo that an activity comes naturally to us, like hitting someone in the face when we are angry, should not it be stopped?
The point is even if the behavior is natural if it is dangerous to other people it should be stopped.