Polls now show that Florida voters overwhelmingly support a ban on text-messaging while driving. This comes after U.S. Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood called on Congress to enact a national ban on texting while driving.
So, could this be the session when Florida’s Legislature finally decides it’s time to join the other 35 states who now ban some form of phone use and driving? This isn’t taxing services or taxing internet sales, mind you. This won’t bring down the wrath of Grover Norquist. Public safety is surely not a partisan issue.
Put it this way: We already know that drivers are better off (legally) drunk than electronically distracted when it comes to behind-the-wheel awareness. To at least ban texting while driving is doing something that common sense tells you will help prevent accidents, injuries and loss of life. Surely, there’s no constituency, at least one that drives, on the other side of this issue. Surely.
But check out the take of House Speaker Dean Cannon. He’s got more problems with the ban than with the accidents waiting to happen. “I’ve got personal liberties concerns,” nobly noted Cannon, the poorest man’s Patrick Henry.
Then there’s Rep. Brad Drake, House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee chairman. His laissez un-faire reasoning is this: “There are bad things that occur all over this world, and the government will never be able to solve all those behaviors.” Thanks for nothing.
It’s enough to drive voters, if not drivers, to drink.