I-Search Artifact Archive Sheet
Name: Captain ObviousDate:8/13/2010
Period:8thArtifact # 1
Bibliography (follow MLA format depending on your source)
"States Should Try to Curb Teen Texting and Driving." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Gale, Cengage Learning, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Web. 12 Aug. 2010.
Summary: This article provides statistical information on texting and texting while driving. It also provides statistics on states with anti-texting laws in the works or on the books. It finally mentions that some are in opposition to anti-texting legislation.
Key Idea 1:
“An estimated 20 percent of drivers are sending or receiving text messages while behind the wheel, according to a Nationwide Insurance study. And, according to another poll, that number skyrockets to 66 percent when drivers 18 to 24 are isolated.”
Key Idea 2:
16 states are looking to create and enact laws to “outlaw or restrict the practice.”
Key Idea 3:
Representative McKinley Bailey of Iowa is working towards passing legislation that will prohibit beginning drivers from texting.
Key Idea 4:
The ACLU is fighting against Bailey’s bill, arguing it is unconstitutional to discriminate against young people.
Key Idea 5:
Some Republicans are working against Bailey and are trying to hold up the passing of his legislation.
Key Idea 6:
Anti-texting legislation follows similar bans on talking on cell phones while driving; The author of the article states that, “5 states prohibit all drivers from using hand-held phones and 24 more have considered similar legislation.”
Reflection: What did you learn from this artifact? List anything that caught your interest, surprised you, made you think, etc.
I was not surprised by the statistic of 66% for drivers 18-24 who’ve received or sent text messages while driving. I know that it is a common tool of communication for young people. I am not sure how effectively these laws will be to uphold. It would seem difficult for the police officers left to pursue them to know who young drivers are and who might not be. Also, it seems that it would be hard for them to know when a person might be texting or simply changing their music, since so many phones come with MP3 players as well. I use my phone for directions, and I’m sure I look like I’m texting when in actuality I’m trying to see if I’m following the directions correctly. I was also interested in the opposition to such bills being passed, particularly from the ACLU and some Republicans. I know the ACLU is looking to protect individual freedoms, but I also want to be protected to drive safely on the roads without fear of being hit by someone that might be distracted by a text. I wonder what reasons there may be for some Republicans to oppose the bill Rep. Bailey is trying to pass.
What reasons to people have for opposing anti-texting laws? What role does the ACLU play in this issue? What are my state’s laws for texting while driving and who does it pertain to?
Where do you plan to go from here? What information will you look for?
I will now look up information on the opposite side of this issue and also see what the ACLU states as reasons for opposing such laws.