When reading the warnings on a new package, there is a good chance that most of them do not include a chance for distracted driving, severe vehicle accidents or even death. Sadly, these are the very warnings that come with today’s technology such as cell phones, or more specifically, the act of texting and driving.

On April 8, the Oklahoma Senate approved a measure to ban texting while driving and strengthened the proposal to make the violation a primary offense. House Bill 1965 would ban texting and e-mailing for all drivers in Oklahoma. If it were to pass, police would be able to pull over anyone who is observed texting while driving a vehicle. Fines would start at $100 and could go up to $500.

The Oklahoman interviewed Senator Ron Sharp on his opinion of the bill.

“If you vote no on this and someone in your district is killed because of texting and driving, you have to be held responsible for that,” Sharp said.

If the bill is signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin, Oklahoma would be the 45^th state to ban texting and driving.

In a recent study by Edgar Snyder & Associates, almost a quarter of all automobile accidents involve cell phones.

“Banning texting and driving is a commonsense step that will help save the lives of Oklahomans and make our roads safer.”

–Mary Fallin

However, the bill does allow the hands-free, voice-activated option on phones to be used while driving because the driver could stay focused on the road.

On Tuesday, April 21, 35 Marlow seniors were polled about the issue, and most said they do text and drive even though they know it can be dangerous.

“I have to admit that I do it, but not anything long,” Tyler Powell said. “I can drive straight when I am texting—I think it will be even more dangerous when people are texting with their phones in their laps instead of by the steering wheel,” Powell added.

Dalton Daubenspeck said he mainly texts while driving on the highway.

“I put it on cruise control and am good at driving straight down the highway—I think it is way more dangerous to eat while you are driving,”

One senior girl, who preferred to comment anonymously, admitted that she texts even though she thinks it is very dangerous.

“I’ll be headed to Duncan and look up and realize I am at the Y and have no idea how I got there so fast,” she said.

A few of those polled said they do not text and drive because of the danger posed to themselves and others.

“I am a terrible driver anyway, so it would not be good if I tried to text,” Brynna Mefford said.

Another senior posed an interesting analogy.

“A person driving a car is like a soldier holding a gun, and you don’t see a soldier texting and shooting,” Austin Summers said.

Bailey Talmadge said her decision to not text and drive is a combination of education and experience.

“The videos we saw in driver’s ed were very convincing, and I also have had some near misses with a friend who was constantly texting,” Talmadge said.

Senior Jeremy Thomas may have had the strongest argument against the risky practice.

“I don’t want my last text to be the one they show on the commercials,” Thomas said.

All bills that are currently proposed can be found on http://handsfreeinfo.com/oklahoma-cell-phone-laws-legislation/.

Melissa Valencia

MHS exPRESS writer