BY STATE REP. DANNY MORGAN

Oklahoman
Published: June 14, 2010

Studies have shown that drivers who talk on cell phones are four times more likely to be in a crash and drive just as erratically as people with an 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level. Considering the fact that texting is 23 times riskier than talking on a cell phone while driving, drivers are taking an enormous gamble by being on the road when their eyes aren’t.

A study by Nationwide Insurance found that 80 percent of respondents favor a law to ban the use of cell phones for texting in cars.

After all the victim testimonials and stories of tragedies, after all the studies and reports showing texting while driving is more dangerous than drinking while driving, and despite the overwhelming swell of public support for a ban, our Legislature refused to prohibit texting while operating a vehicle.

For much of my time here at the Capitol, and especially for the past three years, I have worked to pass legislation to protect beginner drivers and those on our public roads. Many have contributed to the conversation, from every possible perspective, and over time by a campaign of education and awareness the need to ban texting while driving became self-evident.

Self-evident to all but the Oklahoma legislative body, that is.

Our efforts were watered down in the final days of session, and what will become law will only impact teenage drivers, and only after an accident or violation has occurred. Not before.

We had every opportunity to address dangerous driving habits and to save lives, but didn’t have the political will to enact real change. This is a disservice to our constituents and to all those on our public roads who have or may yet become a victim of the growing trend to text while driving.

One thing that confounds me is the argument that we already have distracted driving laws on the books and therefore specific language to address this new technological threat is unnecessary. If that were true, then I beg to question the necessity of drunken driving laws. If distracted driving laws encompass all forms of distraction, why not these also? Why wouldn’t they have been deemed duplicative and removed from the statutes? This argument and this logic are fatally flawed.

I would also disagree with those who claim that texting laws infringe on personal freedoms. Again I would reference our drinking and driving laws, as well as those that require seat belts, or car seats for children up to a certain age. Texting while driving is a serious and growing threat on our roadways. Efforts to rein in multitasking by restricting texting while driving is not about personal freedom but about public safety on our highways.

A study by Nationwide Insurance found that 80 percent of respondents favor a law to ban the use of cell phones for texting in cars. It is high time that the citizens of Oklahoma have their voices heard. Together we can achieve a safer environment for our loved ones and all who use our public streets and roadways.

Morgan, D-Prague, represents District 32 in the Oklahoma House, where he is minority leader.

Read this article on the NEWSOK website.

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