Texting and driving is extremely dangerous and reckless. Most people know this, but do it anyway because as we know, cellphones are very additive and tempting. In Michigan it’s illegal to text and drive but there still aren’t enough measures in place to prevent and enforce it. When I think about how many people I pass and see looking down at their phone while behind the wheel, I feel disappointed and worried. Even though law enforcement does their best to regulate drivers and keep the roads safe, it is way too easy to get away with sending a text here and there. Under current Michigan law, drivers face a fine of $100 for the first offense (What Are Michigan’s Texting and Driving Laws in 2021?). Don’t get me wrong, having this texting ban is a big step forward and it certainly makes the roads somewhat safer. However, I still believe the best way to create change is with the individual. If there were a way to change the mindsets of careless drivers and make them more cautious, that is the solution I would go with.
When it comes to operating a vehicle, and the lives of others on the road are at stake, drivers need to be more responsible. But how should this be achieved? It is definitely easier said than done. There isn’t a magic formula to fix the way people think before they use their phone behind the wheel. We’ve gotten to the point where checking notifications is like a reflex. Undoing that chemical hardwiring can be combated with awareness and mindfulness. I propose that everytime a driver gets their license renewed which is about every four or five years, they should have to watch a video that seriously brings attention to the risks that texting and driving poses. I know this would make at least somewhat of an impact. I remember when I took drivers training, they showed a hard-hitting message from the families of drunk driving and texting and driving victims who encourage you to be careful and mindful when on the road. When I think about the reasons why I shouldn’t text and drive, protecting the safety of myself and others comes way before avoiding a ticket. So, in order to reduce the number of injuries and deaths that occur every year by texting and driving, we need to stop people from thinking it is no big deal to take a call or send a quick message.
The root of the problem lies in the fact that most people are more likely to wonder who just tried to reach them and what they had to say rather than think about the potential consequences of picking up their phone. All people, but especially young people are impulsive and self absorbed. We see our phone light up and we take a glance. Most texters and drivers aren’t thinking about the person they might end up killing when they give up one hand on the wheel to answer a call. I believe the best way to change this is not through more laws, more restrictions, and more fines. Sure, all of those things would help, but they wouldn’t necessarily stop people from doing it. Instead, let's create a movement that makes texting and driving not ok. I’m talking about anti texting and driving advertisements, billboards, professional advice, celebrity influence to get people thinking about their actions and the public against it. We’ve seen this done before with smoking and how it became widely unaccepted despite its popularity. In order to improve safety on the roads, I believe we need to educate people and bring awareness to the destruction and damage that texting and driving can cause. It kills people. It puts innocent lives at risk. We need people to understand that and recognize that not only do they put themselves in danger, but also the person in the car next to them. An awareness campaign with a slogan like “save lives, don’t text and drive,” “better left unread than dead” or “don’t drive inTEXTicated” would prove to be powerful as it makes drivers think twice and plays on people's emotions.
As American’s, I believe we need to look out for each other and act as responsible, respectful citizens. In the case of texting and driving, I do not think there is one, all encompassing remedy, law, regulation, or measure that will solve the problem. It would take a tremendous, unrealistic amount of cooperation among all drivers to make texting and driving completely go away. There is a ton that can be improved and implemented on a government level. But, I believe it is important to acknowledge that sometimes the greatest change can come from a lot of individuals agreeing to stop something together.
“What Are Michigan's Texting and Driving Laws in 2021?” Fieger Law, 15 Feb. 2021