Can it Wait? WHS Student Voices Opinion on Texting and Driving

The following is a letter to the editor submitted by Stephanie Brown, written in Mr. Cohn's english class at Westfield High School.

Catch ya L8tr

Unlike most teenagers, turning 16 was scary to me knowing I would have to grow up some time soon. But I quickly figured out what made it so sweet: Driving.

I had always imagined myself as that cliché teenager cruising down the coastline in my light blue convertible, top down, music blaring, with my friends in the backseat. But from the moment I first got behind the wheel, I realized that would not be the reality. I wanted no talking, no music, no laughing, and no breathing while you’re at it too. So it leaves me wondering how people have the super power to text and drive.

It really grinds my gears when I drive past someone and see that they aren’t even paying attention to the road, but their phone rather. According to washingtonpost.com, “Twenty-eight percent of accidents or 200,000 traffic accidents occur when people talk on cell phones or send text messages while driving.”  But at least your friends know you’re on the way right?

Nowadays, virtually everyone has a cell phone. It is highly tempting to take a quick glance at your phone throughout the day, but why do it when you drive? I for one cannot see how it is even slightly possible. However, my purpose is not to explain how untalented I am, but to voice my upmost disgust for those who text and drive.

First of all, in New Jersey, it’s against the law to text or make phone calls while driving no matter what type of license you have.

Second, how important are these text messages? Can it wait until you get home? Or why can’t you just pull over to the side of the road and even into a parking lot? Also, sorry to burst your bubble, but in case of emergency, you probably will not be the first person called; that’s what the police are for. Otherwise, if you are simply texting your friends for the sake of doing it, you better be willing to risk your life, it was nice knowing you.

Does anyone remember years ago when cell phones were just becoming popular? According to livescience.com in 2005 there were only 2,600 deaths related to texting and driving. And years ago, texting and driving wasn’t even the concern; drunk driving was the epidemic. Fun fact: “Driving a vehicle while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)” says potsdam.edu.

According to alcoholalert.com the “NHTSA [estimated] that alcohol was involved in 40% of fatal crashes and in 8% of all crashes in 2000.” You could turn on the news and find a story about someone who was killed in a drunk driving accident because he or she had one too many drinks at a party. Then maybe the next week it was a family of four killed because they were hit by a drunk driver. Though drunk driving is still prominent, the number of accidents has plummeted. Somehow, the point had gotten across to America that drunk driving was dangerous.

So what is it about texting and driving that people cannot grasp?

If what has been said does not resonate with you, think of it this way. Your mom and dad are coming home from work. Grandma and grandpa are coming to visit for the holidays. Your sister or brother is coming home from college or from school. Your friend is coming over to hang out. They’re a block away from your house. They pull out their phone to text you and let you know they’re almost there. Before they can even finish the message, they swerve into the wrong lane and are gone in an instant.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of sounding like a broken record telling you to turn off the phone and focus on the road, let’s switch it up. How does inserting a device in all cars that blocks cell signals sound? With this, there is no way to text and drive. Don’t go getting on a diatribe about how it doesn’t allow freedom of speech. Because last time I checked, living is more important than the first amendment.

Does it not get through to people that they are practically driving a two-ton death trap? With that weight, damage can and will be done. Paying attention is not an option, but is one-hundred percent necessary. How many people will have to die before America finally gets it?

Stephanie Brown