• 04
  • January
    2012

As mentioned in a previous post, a tragic crash in Missouri has caused the National Transportation Safety Board to consider new driving safety recommendations, including banning cellphone usage for all drivers. The automobile accident occurred last year, but the effects of the deadly collision have made a lasting impression on both the local and national levels.

A semi-truck on Interstate 44 was approaching a construction zone and had to slow down in order to proceed any further. Soon after, a pickup truck driven by a 19-year-old boy crashed into the rear of the semi at 55 mph. According to authorities, the 19-year-old driver exchanged text message with a friend around the time of the crash. Soon after the collision, one of two school buses carrying 50 high school band members crashed into the rear of the pickup. The second bus rear-ended the first. A 15-year-old student on the first bus and the 19-year-old pickup driver were killed.

Citing this accident, the NTSB has officially suggested a ban on cell phone usage for all drivers. This includes hands-free devices, which are supposedly safer. This has caused some discontent to appear, largely in politicians who believe that the government should not have such control over people's driving.

But according to some of the students injured in the wreck, many of them have vowed not to use their phones while driving. One of the students said that no life is worth texting someone while behind the wheel of a vehicle.

The students' perspective is important, and illustrates that they realize how dangerous texting or talking on a cellphone while driving can be. More people dedicating themselves to more vigilant driving can only help make roads safer.

Source: Associated Press, "For Mo. students, cellphone debate isn't academic," Jim Salter, Dec. 18, 2011