Defensive driving courses teach drivers of all ages how to drive safely to avoid accidents. One of the most predominate problems a defensive driving course tries to eliminate is distracted driving. Over the last few years, I am sure the majority of us would agree that cell phones have become one of the biggest distractions for all drivers. We all know of the potential and dangerous out come, yet we continue to use these unsafe driving habits.
In the 1970’s and 80’s car phones and cell phones where introduced to the general public. Technology continues to advance making it possible for several improvements to our mobile devices; this of course includes internet, email, GPS and the capability to download thousands of other applications. Cellphones are no longer just a phone, but they have evolved into a mini computer.
Whether you’d like to admit it or not, almost everyone has moved their attention from the wheel to their smart phone at one point or another. A distraction while driving is really anything that keeps you from paying attention to the road. When you look at that screen, you are taking a chance because your attention is shifted from the road. This is going to severely slows your reactions and breaking speeds, and increase the chances of you being in an accident by 400 percent!
Accidents on the road have increased over the years, not just in Texas but across the nation. Thousands of people are killed and injured every year because of drivers using their cell phone. Many states in the U.S. have made laws about cell phone use while operating a vehicle. Here in Texas there is no state wide law when it comes to cell phone use while driving, but there are however some restrictions and prohibitions. The following arelisted on the Texas Department of Transportation‘s website.
Current Cell Phone Prohibitions in Texas
- Drivers with learner’s permits are prohibited from using handheld cell phones in the first six months.
- Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using wireless communications devices.
- School bus operators are prohibited from using cell phones while driving if children are present.
- In school crossing zones, all drivers are prohibited from using handheld devices.
- Local restrictions, according to a February 2012 report complied by the Texas State House of Representatives, the following cities have enacted ordinances prohibiting texting while driving:
| Alamo | Harlingen | Penitas |
| Arlington | Magnolia | San Antonio |
| Austin | McAllen | Shoreacres |
| Bellaire | Misson | Stephenville |
| Brownsville | Missouri City | Tomball |
| Conroe | Mount Vernon | Universal City |
| El Paso | Nacogdoches | West University Place |
| Galveston | Palmview |
Practicing defensive driving techniques when it is convenient for you isn’t going to be enough. Your chances when you have been driving may have been good for now, but it only takes that one time.
When I was attending high school, cell phones had just started becoming a common thing amongst students. Anyway, as you can imagine, cell phones had definitely become a problem because of the classroom disruption it caused. I remember one of my teachers going through their syllabus on the first day of school. I remember it because it one of those things that’s funny because it’s true. He was telling everyone to turn their cell phones off his class and said, “Let’s face it, you are just not that important” and the fact we don’t need a cell phone at school. But seriously think about it. I would bet almost all the phone calls you receive can wait till you got to your driving destination because they just aren’t that important. Not important enough to risk your life or the life of others.
A Sense of Humor Defensive Driving
7920 Glenview Drive Richland Hills TX 76180 (817) 577-8854
Topic: Defensive Driving Practices Regarding Cell Phones