| <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { | | | | that the average user will want to use them. One |
| margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { color: #0000ff } | | | | such solution is a blocker that prevents you from |
| --> | | | | sending text or reading your email while in your |
| Can Legislation Really Curb the Dangers of | | | | car. The problem with this solution is that the |
| Texting While Driving or is the solution up to the | | | | consumer doesn't like having constraints put on |
| consumer? | | | | their use of a device they feel they should be |
| 6,000 people lost their lives due to the | | | | able to use as they please. Another solution is |
| consequence of sending a text or email while | | | | software loaded on your cell phone that will read |
| driving. And over 500,000 accidents were caused | | | | you text and mail messages to you. The problem |
| that resulted in serious injuries. We need a solution | | | | here is the limited capacity of the cell phone |
| that addresses the problem not just laws for | | | | device – although cell phones, Smartphones in |
| punishment | | | | particular have increased processing power the |
| States are fast coming to grips with this | | | | text to speech software is a processor hog and |
| phenomenon but not necessarily in a good way. | | | | can quickly drain the battery of the device. Also |
| Legislatures across the country are passing laws | | | | the software will not allow you to reply by |
| to make sending a text or email while driving a | | | | dictating a text or email to be sent because of |
| primary offense with fines into the hundreds for | | | | the intensive requirement of speech to text |
| the first offense and in some cases jail time or | | | | software. And in both cases the service or the |
| temporary suspension of driving privileges for | | | | software is tied to the mobile carrier and the |
| repeat offenses. But it's very unlikely that people | | | | phone itself. Additionally the software may not be |
| will stop sending texts or emails while behind the | | | | compatible with all phones and certain carriers |
| wheel because of a law mandating fines. | | | | may not even offer the software. |
| Teenagers in particular are unlikely to adhere to | | | | While the best solution would be for people to |
| these new laws. And adults - well more than likely | | | | simply stop sending text and emails while they |
| they will also continue to send text and email | | | | drive, this isn't likely to happen. An alternative |
| while they drive - at least until they either take | | | | would be a service that allows you to have text |
| their own life by running off the road or sadly end | | | | messages and emails read to you while providing |
| the life of a child, a sister, a brother, a mother, a | | | | the capability of replying to those messages in |
| father or someone else. | | | | real time using your cell phone and a hands free |
| Did you know that a recent study found people | | | | headset. The service would also have to be |
| that send texts and emails while they drive are | | | | independent of the cell provider so that the |
| more dangerous than those that drive drunk? | | | | consumer doesn't become locked into one |
| They become so engrossed in sending texts or | | | | company thus denying them the opportunity to |
| responding to emails that they don't even look up | | | | shop for the best deals on cell phone service. |
| to pay attention to the road. At any given time | | | | According to handsfreemessaging.com, "The |
| there are nearly 800,000 people sending a texts | | | | current "No Phone Zone movement" being pushed |
| or emails while they drive - do you want to be on | | | | by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey is helping to bring |
| the road with one of them? | | | | this problem into the forefront and garner |
| According to handsfreemessaging.com, States | | | | additional media addition to focus on an issue that |
| laws like those passed in D.C and more recently in | | | | will do nothing but get worst if solutions aren't |
| Michigan will either force cell phone manufacturers | | | | found. |
| to come up with effective methods to block | | | | While laws provide some incentives to consumers |
| texts and emails being sent when a person is | | | | to put the phone down and focus on the road it |
| driving or push the consumer to a service that | | | | is ultimately the consumer that will determine how |
| facilitates their text habits in a safer format. | | | | this problem can be effective resolved not state |
| But there are drawbacks that make it unlikely | | | | of national legislatures. |