This article discusses how bans against texting while driving may actually increase road crashes instead of reducing them. In states where this ban has been imposed, research found that people were lowering their phones while texting to evade police, thus taking their eyes further from the road for a longer time. This is a type of social regulation as we discussed in class since it puts a restriction on a private action that threatens safety. The characteristics of this regulation are that it’s the responsiblility of citizens not to text and drive, police officers are used to enforce this in some states where the ban has taken place, and for those who deviate from the rule a ticket is issued and a fine imposed.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/2010-09-28-1Atextingbans28_ST_N.htm
-Kelly Neary
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteIn class on Thursday we listed social regulations, and after reading this article I took a look at it and realized that each one not only affects the person performing the action, but those around them as well. If we want to keep our roads safer, police officers cannot be the only ones enforcing this rule. And though the sanctions often result in a ticket or a fine, an even greater consequence is at risk here: taking your life or someone else's life. Is there a possibility a policy could be enforced that could eliminate texting while driving? Required phone applications, more police officers, etc.?
Elise Leppert