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Well, it is that time of year again when our representatives are at the Gold Dome trying to see how many new laws they can pass. I don’t know how many laws are actually in the books in Georgia now, but it has to be in the thousands. I am concerned with the introduction of a new law that would make it a "crime" to text while driving.
First off, there are already laws on the books which allow the police to charge someone with an offense if they are involved in an accident as a result of texting, reaching for their french fries or makeup, or simply trying to find their new CD.
Second, if a police officer sees you dialing a phone while driving, will they actually know you are dialing a number and not texting? I guess that they would have to pull you over and take possession of your phone to check and see what you were using it for and who you were talking to.
Third, if this law is passed, does that mean all of the laptop computers which installed in police cars will be disabled while the cars are in motion? A policeman is expected to use his laptop computer, radar gun, two-way radio, emergency lights, siren and cell phone while driving 90 miles per hour in rush hour traffic. Are they actually that much smarter than the average citizen?
I think not, but if you are summoned to court for texting while driving and try to explain that you were only trying to dial a phone number, I can tell you which side the judge will take.
I have been driving for 41 years. My first "cell phone" in 1975 was bolted to the floor of my truck, had a rotary dial and cost $1 per minute to use. I don’t think that texting while driving is a good idea, and I ask that my children (now young adults), not do it. However, I see laws like this one open the door for more abuse by police departments wanting to create a revenue stream.
Life would be much simpler if we could all live by the original 10 laws, but then politicians might not have jobs.
John E. Webb
Gainesville