Legislation not the answer for
distracted driving

I sit in the commissioners’ room and realize I need to get a message to someone at the office. I discreetly send a quick text; message delivered.
I’m sitting at a banquet listening to some not-so-entertaining speaker while the NFL playoffs are on. My husband sweetly sends me texts so I stay updated on the scores.
Texting has revolutionized the way we communicate and when we communicate. The Yes I Can! Program and Big Horn County Health Coalition have joined forces and in a few weeks will launch the TipSoft program where people can send anonymous texts of crimes, suicide concerns or other concerns.
The University of Wyoming uses texts to send mass messages to students. Texting can be a great time saving device and a quick way to communicate.
While programs are finding ways to utilize texting to the benefit of residents, the Wyoming Legislature is working to ban texting while driving. Many legislators have already expressed thoughts that this is only “feel good legislation” and will be difficult to enforce.
Sen. Gerald Geis last week said the new law, if passed, would bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving through texting.
I have reduced considerably the amount of texting I do while behind the wheel. Why? Because I have educated myself, and others have educated me to the dangers of texting.
If the legislation is only “feel good” and will be hard to enforce then why bother. Why not direct the Wyoming Department of Transportation to develop a campaign to promote awareness of distracted driving.
Perhaps the state, which used Tobacco Settlement funds for the “second-hand smoked” campaign last year could be used for a distracted driving campaign this year. I believe the money is to be spent for education and health and safety, if not, I’m sure there is other funding available for education of this sort.
Texting is just one distraction for drivers. There are others — using cell phone with or without a hands-free device, eating, changing channels on the radio or changing a CD, children fighting in the back seat, arguing with a spouse in the front seat, thinking about the day ahead, or the day that has passed already.
Educating the public about all distractions, and the importance of being a focused driver seems that it would be far more beneficial than a law that admittedly will be hard to enforce.
I appreciate legislators trying to keep us safe but sometimes legislation isn’t the answer, it’s just good old fashioned common sense that is needed, along with a little education.
The bill, Senate File 20 has passed the Senate and is now in the House Transportation Committee, scheduled for discussion Tuesday. I hope the legislators will kill the bill and look at other options to address distracted driving.