The use of texting has brought about so much change in recent years. There is up to the minute awareness of evrything you want to know. It is quiet; it does not disturb people around you that a loud conversation might. Texting is less invasive in that you can answer concisely or not at all. But, how many of us are texting and driving? How many of us are texting and walking? Is that a problem for some of us, all of us?
Okay, so probable cause of death: stupid? I cannot even imagine what a medical examiner could write for cause of death in a situation where a fatal accident was caused by someone either sending or receiving a text message as they are driving, or walking.
Yet these accidents are occurring more frequently. Dr. Frank Ryan, plastic surgeon to actress Heidi Montag was driving through the hills (and cliffs) of Malibu, California when he veered off the road while texting a Twitter message about his Border Collie, Jill. In Arizona, an eighteen year old crosses the center line, collides with another vehicle, the other driver dies at the scene while the eighteen year old succumbs to her injuries the next day. Investigators checked her cell phone for who to contact in case of an emergency and found the text message timed precisely at the same as the head on collision. In Staten Island, New York, a fifteen year old who was concentrating on texting walked into an open manhole while workers were securing the area. She was not seriously hurt but claimed it was painful. Her mother plans to sue.
Though nineteen state, District of Columbia, and Guam have laws, Arizona does not have any laws banning texting. Oprah Winfrey has a "No Phone Zone" campaign to help individuals get involved in contacting state governors to ask for bans on testing while driving, or the use of hands free equipment.
While some will say there are positive aspects with texting, I could not agree more. Michael Hausauer, a psychotherapist in Oakland, California says texting "...is an enormous tool...offers companionship and the promise of connectedness." For the many deaf people, texting has changed their lives. They can communicate with cell phones; giving them the independence that was unheard of before. These deaf people are now able to communicate with each other, and hearing people in the same fashion.
Texting is a wonderful technological discovery. It has many good uses. And like most things it is powered by humans who can use it for good or for bad. 'Texting and driving' is the next "drinking and driving.' In my opinion, they just don't mix well.
www.abcnews.go.com/entertainment/heidi-montag-plastic-surgeon-Frank-Ryan-texting-car/story?id=11427497
www.responsibilityproject.com/
www.azcentral.com/community/peoria/articles/0813gl-peofatal/0813.html.
www.healthnews.com/family-health/average-teen-output-eighty-text-messages-day-3194.html
No comments:
Post a Comment