Although text messaging has been discussed more and more in conjunction with driving as of late -- what with drunken drivers evading checkpoints via text and Twitter around News Years and the like -- texting while driving is still not against the law everywhere in America. Currently, only 19 states ban getting textual behind the wheel. (Far fewer ban talking on handheld phones -- only six states in all.)
Therefore, a country-wide ban on text message use for this portion of motorists marks a decisive mood -- and one that seems timely, too. According to a recent report by the National Safety Council, at least 1.6 million crashes a year are caused by cell phone use -- that's 28% of all crashes. 200,000 of those accidents are caused by texting.
Now, bus drivers and truck drivers who are caught texting will face fines up to $2,750. It remains to be seen whether such measures will become standard for all U.S. drivers.
What do you think of the ban? Let us know in the comments.
[via Reuters]