On May 30, 2011, the Texas Legislature approved and sent to Gov. Rick Perry a bill that would ban texting while driving throughout the state. On June 17, 2011, Gov. Perry vetoed the bill, saying that even though texting while driving "is reckless and irresponsible," he felt the bill was "a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults."
Unfortunately, Gov. Perry's veto came just as more cars are out on the road filled with traveling families and teenagers on summer break.
House Bill 242
The bill sent to Gov. Perry (House Bill 242) sought to make texting while driving a misdemeanor offense throughout the state with a possible $200 fine. The bill defined "texting" as receiving, sending or even viewing a text message, instant message or email.
If the texting led to a car accident resulting in serious injury or death, the driver could have been charged with the separate offense of reckless driving. That offense carried a proposed fine of up to $2,000 and a maximum jail term of 180 days.
Preventing Distracted Driving, Reducing Car Accidents
Distracted driving is an increasingly pervasive behavior. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2009, 20 percent (448,000) of automobile accidents resulting in injury involved distracted driving. Fifty percent of teenage drivers admit to texting while driving.
By vetoing the bill, Gov. Perry essentially gave his blessing to what he believes is "reckless and irresponsible" behavior. Currently, only teens are prohibited from texting while driving in Texas. The bottom line is that texting while driving can kill innocent drivers and passengers. Hopefully Gov. Perry will soon have another opportunity to choose the safety of Texans over political convenience.
For now, individuals and groups must continue to expose the dangers of texting while driving. Only by teaching the public about the thousands of accidents caused by distracted driving can we begin to reduce the prevalence of these preventable car accidents.
