The Low-Tech Times

Hi-Tech Addictions and Driving

My home state of Virginia has banned texting while driving as William Flook of the Washington Examiner reports.  However, some are disappointed that apparently a driver cannot be pulled over just for texting:

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine signed into law on Monday legislation to ban text-messaging while driving…

Under Virginia’s ban, which goes into effect July 1, police can’t pull a driver over just for text messaging but instead need a more serious primary offense to justify the stop.

“In Virginia, it’s tantamount to telling people you can do it,” said AAA spokesman John Townsend, who nevertheless called the bill “a moral victory.”

Low-Tech Addictions and Driving 

To be fair, it’s not just hi-tech addictions that are driving problems on the roadways.  ABC Channel 7 WJLA reports on a bus driver caught reading a book while driving a bus full of passengers:

SILVER SPRING, Md. – Pictures taken by a Ride On bus passenger in Montgomery County (web | news) appear to show the driver reading a book while behind the wheel. ABC 7’s Richard Reeve spoke exclusively with the woman who took the photos.

Are Texting While Driving Laws Necessary?

Some people claim that special laws prohibiting texting while driving are unnecessary since there are already reckless driving laws in existance.  However, I suppose the same argument could be made that drunk driving laws are not necessary since we have reckless driving laws.  It seems to me the laws bring needed awareness to serious problems.