Texting while driving may potentially be banned

Iowa lawmakers are considering making it illegal to text while driving. Four different bills have been proposed to solve the problem of distracted drivers, while some of the legislators consider the problem covered by existing reckless driving laws.

Anti-texting laws have passed in 19 states and Washington D.C. At the federal level, the possibility of financial incentives for states that pass anti-texting laws is being considered. The Iowa legislature hopes to make a decision by the end of the legislative season in March.

Erin Wilson, a public relations and electronic media double major, recently moved back from California where they have an anti-texting law.

“Their policy out there is no electronic use while driving,” Wilson said. “I’m not going to lie, that’s really hard. You had to wear a Bluetooth to talk to people and you weren’t allowed to text or you would get pulled over.”

Jared Parker, a history and political science major, feels that texting while driving is dangerous.

“Ban it. It’s a hazard,” Parker said. “But it has to be worded a certain way, because if you write it as a ‘distraction while driving’ you can pretty much say anything’s a distraction at the discretion of the officer. ... They need to be very specific in that texting itself needs to banned and not a very vague term of ‘distracted.’”

The four anti-texting bills that have been suggested in Iowa have a range of consequences, with the least calling for a $30 fine for drivers caught texting, and allowing for hands-free cell phone use through accessories like Bluetooth.

Another bill would count texting and other cell phone or mobile device usage as reckless driving with the charge of a simple misdemeanor. The other two bills are stricter, with one banning all electronics use in moving vehicles and the other imposing a $100 fine for people caught texting while driving.

Wilson supports the idea, but is unsure how it will be received.

“I understand where it’s a safe thing and it’s a smart decision; I just don’t know how well people are going to follow it,” she said. “I would say I fully support it ... I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all.”

Some students support the bill and have mentioned near-collisions of their own when texting and driving at the same time. Others, like sophomore management major Jill Hohnecker, have been exposed to the danger of drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road.

“It’s distracting and I’ve almost been hit by someone who was texting, and that just wasn’t cool,” Hohnecker said.

One potential problem with the anti-texting laws is the how police will implement the laws.

“I think it’s probably a good idea, but it’s probably going to be really hard to enforce,” said Josh Wilson, political communications major. “I think it’s a good thing, though. I wouldn’t have a problem with it.”

Currently, the policy as exercised in other states is left to the discrimination of the officer. For officers in states that have banned all electronic usage in cars, the decision can be easier as drivers there cannot use the excuse of “I was changing songs on my iPod” or something similar.

Suggestions that technology be developed to deal with the problem, such as equipping the cars to block outgoing and incoming signals when the car is in motion, were also made.

Solutions to the problem of distracted drivers will continue to be suggested as the laws and proposed bills are given time to show results.