Texas Governor Perry refused to sign a bill into law that prohibited texting while driving. His rationale was that the state could not tell its drivers what they could or could not do in any distraction is a risk while driving a car. Distractions come from inside and outside the car. People and things seen on the roadway and music, food, cigarettes and cell phones inside the car equally distract even the best drivers. I was a passenger in a car that rear-ended another because our driver was looking at a pretty girl with a huge Great Dane dog. I was a driver when I rear-ended another car while reading emails.
We cannot rid ourselves of all distractions because we do not have control over those outside our car. We do, however, have absolute control over what is going on inside our car. How can someone drive a car 65 mile per hour while eating a hamburger in a foil wrapper? Dropping food, drinks, cigarettes, combs, brushes and makeup are a huge hazard. Looking for them in the car after you drop them is a guaranteed incident. Same with cell phone use and texting. Sooner or later,
Talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving: Banned in 10 states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia) and the District of Columbia.
The use of all cellphones by novice drivers: Restricted in 33 states and the District of Columbia
The use of all cellphones while driving a school bus: Prohibited in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
Text messaging: Banned for all drivers in 39 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, Text messaging by novice drivers: Banned in 5 states (Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas).
Text messaging school bus drivers: Banned from text messaging in 3 states (Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas).