No one's life is worth a text while driving

Many of us are likely guilty of believing we are capable while driving of a quick glance at our smartphones or perhaps even typing a short reply to a text without being a danger to ourselves and others on the road. It’s the other drivers who aren’t capable of multi-tasking, right?

 Nothing could be further from the truth, and distracted driving has become a deadly enough problem that Ohio lawmakers are considering trying to do more about it.

According to a report by WJW-Cleveland, Ohio State Highway Patrol reports show since 2013, there have been 100,000 distracted driving crashes, leading to thousands of injuries and more than 300 deaths.

But right now, the law is aimed at teenagers, and adult drivers must commit another offense before being pulled over.

State Reps. Brian Lampton, R-73rd, and Cindy Abrams, R-29th, have introduced a bill that would make using a handheld phone a primary offense for adults; and create a $150 fine or a distracted driving course for violators on the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 for the third offense within two years.

On the other hand, according to WJW, the change in law would allow hands-free phone use.

Some lawmakers have said they are not fans of giving law enforcement officers another reason to pull over drivers. And there is good reason to be concerned. Perhaps that is also why the new law would require police to report the race of those they pull over to cite.

The bottom line, however, is that if such a change in law can also help change people’s minds about driving distracted, lawmakers should give it serious consideration. In the meantime, of course, it should not take a law to force drivers to use a little common sense about driving distracted.

Don’t do it, folks. No one’s life is worth a text. To borrow from a recent public service campaign, it can wait.