Have you heard about the new Senate Bill 300 that Governor Parkinson signed into law? The new law "prohibits the reading, writing and sending of Text messages while driving," and teen drivers in Kansas will be required to wear protective equipment while operating a motorcycle. This blog post is focusing on the first part of the law, as I think it effects more of us than the 2nd part.
This law will come into effect on January 1, 2011, and violating this law will cost you a $60 fine. I am in support of this law, as I have seen many a drivers swerving on the road due to the typing of text messages. While driving with your knee might seem like a bragging right, it really just makes the rest of us around you nervous.
Confession: Before I begin sounding like a hypocrite, I will confess to having texted while driving. BUT, I most always make it a point to wait until I am stopped at a red light to actually do this. I realize the new law does not excuse this behavior, or let me get by because of "use of better judgment," and I think that's a good thing. I never thought I would have texted while in the car, but I, like so many others out there, convince ourselves that this is a good way to manage time, or, it's just a quick message being sent, etc. In the end, we are endangering our life, our children's lives, and everyone else's on the road.
Senate Bill 300 is an effort to keep all of us safer and more protected on the roads. I am in agreement with this law, but I'm curious to hear what you think. Share your thoughts - are you for or against the new law, and what are your reasons? While I like to believe that I am a good multi-tasker, I don't want to multi-task if it is something that distracts me from my primary responsibility, and ultimately jeopardizes the safety of myself, my children, and others on the road. For that reason, I am in favor of the Kansas Texting Law, and find it to be a public benefit for all.