Eastex Freeway texting death: should texting & driving be banned?

A man is dead after a one vehicle accident near the Eastex Freeway, at the same time efforts are being made to ban texting while driving in Texas.

 

Police believe that the man was texting while driving and did not realize that the road he was on – Legion – ended at the freeway feeder road.  He and his passenger were taken to the hospital, but the driver died from his injuries.

 

The only positive to come out of accidents like this is that at least another innocent victim was not killed by the texting driver, but that is little consolation for the deceased driver’s family.  Many in Texas wonder if a texting while driving ban would save the lives of drivers and other road users.

 

Should texting while driving be banned in Texas?

 

Texas House Bill 243 is calling for a texting ban for vehicle drivers.  It would make it illegal for drivers to read, write or send “text based communication” (this would include email) while driving.  Texting would be allowed if the vehicle was stopped.

 

Bellaire and West University Place have similar texting while driving bans, but the City of Houston does not.  Proponents of the bill believe that a law against texting and driving would send a clear message to drivers that the practice is a dangerous and punishable offense.  The bottom line is that something needs to be done to let drivers know how unsafe distracted driving behaviors like texting while driving can be.