We are well aware of the dangers of distracted driving, the consequences of which are often tragic. Emerging laws and regulations reflect the uptick in crash severity and claims activity, in addition to the perils posed to drivers and pedestrians alike. Currently 11 states have officially banned talking on a hand-held device while driving. Many more—41 states in total, plus the District of Columbia last time I checked— have gone a step further, banning texting while driving (TWD).

Meanwhile, companies across the board, from insurers to automakers such as Volkswagen and Audi, to cell-phone providers—including AT&T, which recently created the #ItCanWait distracted driving campaign—are trumpeting safe driving practices via public awareness campaigns.

After five years of stalled progress, Florida became the latest (41st) state to hop on the anti-TWD bandwagon earlier this week. On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law SB-52, which prohibits manual texting only while driving, thereby granting drivers stuck in traffic congestion or idling at a stoplight to, well, type away.

To me, allowing drivers to stay connected, albeit with dubious provisions, while operating a heavy, sophisticated (and potentially deadly) piece of machinery obscures boundaries that should otherwise be crystal clear. Forgive me, but don't teens especially need clearly defined boundaries and consequences for noncompliance? Sure, drivers of all ages engage in dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. But if we are to believe recent data, then teens are the most likely TWD offenders occupying U.S. roads.

As with many things, it would seem that TWD bans are rosier in theory than in practice. Laws prohibiting distracted driving are extremely difficult to enforce. Moreover, some states, including Florida, make such infractions a “secondary offense,” meaning a driver would need to first be pulled over for some other violation, such as careless driving. Even then, under SB-52, a first offense would equate to a fee of about $30, plus court costs. Is that enough of a deterrent to make Florida's roads safer? What about concomitant “distracted” behaviors?

Texting While Biking

Two recent encounters got me thinking about other distracted behaviors, such as texting while operating a bicycle. The first incident happened over Memorial Day weekend when I threw caution (and Claritin-D) to the wind to venture out to a local five-mile trail. You see, I have a complicated relationship with nature, having been declared by my doctor as “a very allergic person.” In any case, after swallowing approximately 15 gnats, around mile two, I felt alive. Free. Wind blowing in my face, my euphoria was short-lived, first interrupted by a runny nose and sore throat. Then by a teenager who, oblivious to my presence on the trail, furiously texted while awkwardly (slowly) peddling his bicycle. My shriek proved futile, and in order to avoid a low-speed, head-on collision, I veered off the trail and into a bed of allergens, err, grass.

Alas, he didn't seem to notice. On my way home, a teen swerved in front of my car, forcing an abrupt stop to avoid what I feared would have been a far more serious accident. This kid was also distracted; it became apparent he was not only texting while riding his bicycle but also listening to music via clunky headphones, perhaps of the noise-cancelling or base-heavy variety.

Really? I mean, really? Was this some sort of cosmic coincidence, or a sign that I'm morphing into a female version of Andy Rooney?

Well, we may never know. One thing I do know, however, is that Gov. Scott's decision to sign the new bill into law at a Miami high school auditorium full of teens is a step in the right direction. That, and we're all in for a bumpy ride.

“The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known as the deadliest days on the road for teenagers,” Gov. Scott said on Tuesday. “We must do everything we can at the state level to keep our teenagers and everyone on our roads safe. I cannot think of a better time to officially sign this bill into law.”

Special Reports /

Texting While Biking: Darwin Would Not Approve

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