By Juan Villanueva
Over the past years, it’s become a daily habit. Today not only do adults do it, but so do teenagers. Texting while driving is not only becoming a habit, but it is also slowly taking the lives of people.
Texting and driving are not meant to be done at the same time. It is very unsafe and can not only endanger your life, but also put at risk the life of passengers who are with you as well as people in other vehicles. According to Federal Communications Commissions, it is 23 times more likely for a person to have an accident while texting and driving.
While doing this, you aren’t only putting your life in danger, but you are also getting consequences.
The penalty of being caught while texting and driving varies on where you live. The amount you have to pay ranges from $20 to $1,000 depending on your state. While Alaska has the highest penalty of $1,000, California has the lowest of only a $20 penalty.
On the other hand, Texas does not have a state penalty, however the city of San Antonio has one of $200, which will probably get more strict now that they city is banning all hand-held phone use effective January 2015.
Today at least 11 percent of Americans check their cellphone at a time while driving.
Texting while driving is also six times more likely to cause an auto crash than driving while being intoxicated with alcohol.
Texting and driving is illegal and costly. If you are found, a simple message such as “ok” can cost you a fine along with few hundred dollars in court. Other major consequences include getting your driver’s license revoked.
Although some people may think that texting while driving is okay, it really isn’t. Many people don’t realize the dangers of texting and driving until them themselves suffer some type of accident.
It is up to people to decide to drive safe or risk their life by sending a message that can cost their life.