Yep. We Should Probably Stop With The Talking and Driving.

Okay.   I admit it.  I am absolutely shameless when it comes to talking—and even texting—while driving.  I suppose that after more than a decade behind the wheel, motoring, for me, has become a commonplace activity with which I maintain a fallaciously casual relationship.  Unfortunately, many other individuals (whether they own up to it or not) have fallen prey to the same concept, and, regularly engage in a vast array of distractions, ranging from eating, to makeup application, to wireless phone usage, while zipping down the roadways.  The result?  A big bunch of dangerous missiles in the shapes of automobiles, powered by inattentive operators, bouncing off of each other in relatively innocuous fender benders, or (in darker moments) exacting tragedy through fatal accidents. 

Despite my own egregious failings in the area of wireless phone usage while driving, I am aware of its implications and have to agree with Cara Contreras when she asserts in her April 3, 2012 blog submission that Texas lawmakers should completely prohibit wireless phone usage while operating a vehicle.  Ms. Contreras deftly backs up her argument by proposing that since Texas has already outlawed phone usage in settings such as school zones, the State should also ban it in the event of highway driving when people are traveling at much higher rates of speed, making more horrific accidents a distinct possibility.  The specter of a hefty fine (a la the Texas seat belt law) would most likely do wonders with regards to controlling the number of individuals talking/texting while driving.  I know that the idea of needlessly kissing goodbye $400 motivates me to buckle up every time I hit the road.