New Phone and Texting Ban while driving commercial vehicles is actually a good idea!!
Well, I'll give the federal government credit for once. Finally, a law that actually makes sense. Starting this January, a new federal law enacted now bans drivers of commercial vehicles from taking phone calls to their ears with a device or texting while driving. At first, I hated the rule. Well, I always hate any change at first, then usually warm up to the idea when I see its benefits. This one is a great idea. Usually I'm a First Amendment guy, but with all the numbers of fatalities on the road due to amount of reckless idiots texting on a damn phone or too busy yapping; this law had to be enacted. To tell you the truth, I wish they would take this a step further and enforce this all the way across the board to include private vehicles. I've seen too many accidents that were caused by needless distractions.
I have been guilty of this myself, too busy talking on the phone and not paying attention. Luckily, I have never been in an accident while performing such a dumb idea. But in the spirit of the law, I've decided to follow along with the commercial drivers. Since the law has been enacated, I no longer take phone calls while driving. I have found this works wonders. My sole focus is on the road and watching the cars around me. This will give me time to watch out for all the insane idiots who think running red lights are right of theirs. Don't get me wrong, I love cell phones. Hell, I love smartphones even more than cell phones. But I understand the merits of this law. There has to be a line drawn in the sand of the number of people who are being killed on the roadways simply due to texting on a damn phone. Good God almighty, put the damn phone down and respond to the texts when you've come to a complete stop.
Now, the law does allow for an earpiece while you are driving. It says you can't hold the phone to your ear, or you'll get a nice huge fine. Hopefully automakers will embrace this law and the positive changes it's going to bring if enforced properly. Time to make consoles and devices that allow you talk in the car without having a phone to your ear. Whether it's Bluetooth on your dash, or mechanisms that work with your radio; it's time for change. Lives need to be saved, and if it means that no one can text while driving; great! Put your damn phone down. Cell phones were meant to make our lives better, but now they've come to the point that they are making some of our lives worse. Hopefully the government will realize this law has good consequences and they will enforce this on non-commercial vehicles in addition to commercial vehicles.
This is one law the federal government hit a home run with one swing of the bat!