Texting while driving ban step in right direction

by Flor-Ala Staff

The recent texting while driving ban in Florence has sparked mixed reactions from residents. Having come into effect Aug. 1, the ban presents offenders with up to 10 days in jail and a $100 fine on the first offense. In August, the Florence Police Department told The Flor-Ala that they have only issued warnings so far.

The Flor-Ala editorial board is in agreement with the sentiment of the ban, but we believe that the local authorities need to better advertise the ban, as it seems that many students are either apathetic or ignorant towards it. The ban must be well advertised so that everyone is aware, and apathy towards the ban could be eliminated if local police enforced the ban more strictly.

That being said, it seems that nearly everyone is guilty of being distracted while driving. Texting is a popular distraction in our fast-paced society because it gives people an easy, fast way to communicate, but there are many more distractions that present themselves to drivers. Those include: talking on the phone, eating, putting on makeup, reading, simply being in a bad mood and many others.

It is important that every driver takes a step back and examines his or her habits while driving. Texting is among the most dangerous of those habits, claiming many lives both locally and nationally, but all other distractions should also be examined. The texting while driving ban is a step in the right direction, but the truth is that being distracted while driving is the real problem.

Texting while driving is a big issue for our generation, as we are more technologically savvy and involved than our parents as a whole. While this is true, texting is equally available to people of all ages, and the temptation to text while driving is always present.

Everyone is affected by texting while driving, so everyone needs to see the problem as legitimate, not just as some abstract compilation of all the problems with the younger generation. The texting while driving ban represents the first step in the authorities taking action, but they need to enforce the ban for it to be effective.

Of course, the ban would not be necessary if each individual would closely examine his or her driving habits and truly understand the danger that distracted driving brings to everyone. The Flor-Ala editorial board believes that texting while driving is not an individual right because it endangers everyone, not just the driver.

The opinions expressed are the collective ideas of The Flor-Ala editorial board.