Post by title1parent on Dec 14, 2009 6:16:57 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=343824&src=
Time to change your texting habits
Daily Herald Editorial 12/14/09
Illinois lawmakers and the governor have done their part. Now it's up to law enforcement and motorists.
Beginning Jan. 1, motorists will be banned from texting while driving. No writing texts. No sending texts. No reading texts. The law also applies to instant messages, e-mails and surfing the Internet.
Get caught and face a moving violation that goes on your record and usually will cost you $75.
Illinois is set to become one of 19 states that ban texting while driving. It's a good law that will hopefully become a nationwide prohibition.
"Distracted driving is a serious, life-and-death problem that took nearly 6,000 lives last year alone," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at an Alabama statewide summit earlier this month.
LaHood, the former Illinois congressman, also held a national summit on the topic in September. There, he said, previous efforts to reduce drunken driving and encourage drivers to wear seat belts were lessons that can be used to deal with this 21st century problem.
"We need a combination of strong laws, tough enforcement and ongoing public education to make a difference," LaHood said. Congress could eventually take away federal highway funding for states that don't have a law like Illinois'.
We are pleased our state elected officials recognized the problem by passing this law. We are equally pleased by the reaction of local police authorities, who back the law even though they recognize difficulties with enforcement.
"People continue to drink and drive, so certainly people will continue to text and drive," said Barrington Police Det. Sgt. Kevin Croke. "But you want to get the awareness out there as much as possible. Anything we can do to achieve safer roads is a good thing."
His comments were echoed in a Daily Herald story by police officials in Huntley, Carol Stream and Mount Prospect.
Now it's your turn. Take responsibility. Obey this law. And be a good role model for your children or grandchildren.
A recent Pew Research Center study said one in four of American teens of driving age say they have texted while driving and half of all teens ages 12 to 17 say they have been a passenger while a driver has texted behind the wheel.
Those numbers are scary. It's no wonder that distracted driving at that age often leads to accidents, injuries and, sometimes, death. In Sugar Grove, the police chief and Kaneland High School officials recognized the problem and put in place a safety program to help change teen habits. It earned them a 2009 Governor's Hometown Award - a well-deserved honor.
"I think over time it will reduce deaths," said Sugar Grove Police Chief Brad Sauer.
Distracted driving is getting the attention it needs at all levels of government. Not it needs your attention.
Change your habits and contribute to making Illinois roads safer.
Time to change your texting habits
Daily Herald Editorial 12/14/09
Illinois lawmakers and the governor have done their part. Now it's up to law enforcement and motorists.
Beginning Jan. 1, motorists will be banned from texting while driving. No writing texts. No sending texts. No reading texts. The law also applies to instant messages, e-mails and surfing the Internet.
Get caught and face a moving violation that goes on your record and usually will cost you $75.
Illinois is set to become one of 19 states that ban texting while driving. It's a good law that will hopefully become a nationwide prohibition.
"Distracted driving is a serious, life-and-death problem that took nearly 6,000 lives last year alone," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at an Alabama statewide summit earlier this month.
LaHood, the former Illinois congressman, also held a national summit on the topic in September. There, he said, previous efforts to reduce drunken driving and encourage drivers to wear seat belts were lessons that can be used to deal with this 21st century problem.
"We need a combination of strong laws, tough enforcement and ongoing public education to make a difference," LaHood said. Congress could eventually take away federal highway funding for states that don't have a law like Illinois'.
We are pleased our state elected officials recognized the problem by passing this law. We are equally pleased by the reaction of local police authorities, who back the law even though they recognize difficulties with enforcement.
"People continue to drink and drive, so certainly people will continue to text and drive," said Barrington Police Det. Sgt. Kevin Croke. "But you want to get the awareness out there as much as possible. Anything we can do to achieve safer roads is a good thing."
His comments were echoed in a Daily Herald story by police officials in Huntley, Carol Stream and Mount Prospect.
Now it's your turn. Take responsibility. Obey this law. And be a good role model for your children or grandchildren.
A recent Pew Research Center study said one in four of American teens of driving age say they have texted while driving and half of all teens ages 12 to 17 say they have been a passenger while a driver has texted behind the wheel.
Those numbers are scary. It's no wonder that distracted driving at that age often leads to accidents, injuries and, sometimes, death. In Sugar Grove, the police chief and Kaneland High School officials recognized the problem and put in place a safety program to help change teen habits. It earned them a 2009 Governor's Hometown Award - a well-deserved honor.
"I think over time it will reduce deaths," said Sugar Grove Police Chief Brad Sauer.
Distracted driving is getting the attention it needs at all levels of government. Not it needs your attention.
Change your habits and contribute to making Illinois roads safer.