Our View: Texting and Driving

*Our view is a column published in the Opinion section of the Utah Statesman. Written by the newspapers editors, it expresses the opinion of the writers of the paper on various issues that arise at Utah State University and around the world that affect students. I wrote the following Our View, published in the newspaper on March 3, 2010.

"Where are you guys?" "I'll be there in a minute," "I love you" and even "What are you up to tonight?" are important messages, ones you want to get across as quickly as possible when you're texting. We're college students and, for most, texting rules our social planning and day-to-day conversations with friends in Logan and all over the country. Texting has become incredibly casual. It's done while carrying a one-on-one conversation with a friend, on the front row of a lecture, at movies and performances, and even at the dinner table with Grandma. While society may have evolved and texting has become more acceptable in these situations, we agree with lawmakers that texting while driving should never be acceptable.

The sad thing is that many agree whole-heartedly, and yet recall a time in the last week or so when they sent a text while driving. It's pretty easy to rationalize away -- most are proficient enough to text without hardly looking down at their phones or are simply sending a short reply. But that's probably all 19-year-old Reggie Shaw was doing when he sent a text to his girlfriend while driving his suburban into Logan. Shaw, distracted, clipped a Saturn with two passengers, causing an accident that killed both instantly. Since his accident, Shaw said it has "haunted him every day" but has since worked toward lobbying for laws against texting and driving, which passed in Utah last year. We commend Shaw for his proactive efforts against texting while driving, moving past the accident and becoming a catalyst for change.

It is amazing what little it takes to change a life forever. Shaw's small decision to be distracted while texting and driving changed countless lives in addition to his own. "Be more aware behind the wheel," Shaw warns. "It changes lives so fast." We challenge you to stop texting and driving. You may think you're in control, that you can send it quickly or that you just do it without getting caught. But regardless of the law that prohibits texting while driving, think beyond the risk of getting a ticket to the lives that will be affected by your actions.