Texting: A Dangerous Addiction

In the past few years, we've discovered there is nothing more dangerous than a politician or athlete with the ability to text. destroyed his future, Brett Favre tarnished his legacy, and Tiger Woods napalmed his personal and professional life, all because they couldn't control their impulses with a cell phone.

Texting has become a very dangerous addiction , a form of communication that has caused horrific self-inflicted wounds, and even death. But it's not just athletes, politicians, and movie stars who cause irreparable damage to themselves and others. It's the average person, just like you and me.

Texting is a national obsession that thas taken rude to a whole new level. Everywhere you go and everywhere you turn, people are texting. In cars, bars, at dinner, movies, and yes, even in church. People can't have a conversation for more than 15 seconds before they check their cell phone for a text. 

In this day and age of instant communication, we all have become like Veruca Salt in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory": we have to have it,  and we have to have it now. It's as if the world will end if we don't get that text from a friend that says, "LOL" or "OMG" How did we even survive 10 years ago when there was no texting capabilities? 

Texting has become a lot like alcohol. Drink in moderation and it's okay.  If you go overboard, it can cause a lot of problems. If you get in a car after a few drinks, there will be consequences. If you text in a vehicle, same story.

According to researchers at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, there were 16,141 deaths from 2002-2007 because of text-related accidents.  Hopefully, people will come to realize that, like alcohol, there is really no good use for texting. It causes nothing but problems. 

Next time you're traveling on I-95, check out the number of people who are texting. It's alarming. All the statistics and terrifying videos on YouTube of accidents caused by people texting, don't seem to matter or have much of an impact on texters.  It can't happen to me, people say. I'm too quick with my text to . I'm too focused to go off the side of the road. That's what a lot of people who lost their lives said at one point or another.

Cyclists, joggers, and walkers are no longer safe on the roads with mad texters behind the wheels. Cars veer off the roads and into the path of pedestrians,  all because they are distracted by the ping of an incoming text. For some reason,we have to answer or send a text that asks, "what r u doing?" or "u mis me?" Why can't people return a text when they are at home after the kids are put to bed. It really can wait.

Evelyn Guzman, a bus driver serving the Trumbull school distict was arrested in March because she was . She sent and received more than 1,000 texts while driving school kids around. How would you feel if your child had been driven to school by Guzman? What if she went through a red-light and plowed into a Mack truck?

Troubles with texting don't start and end with driving. The number of people arrested for inappropriate texting is on the rise.  If you send a single text which you think is non-threatening, but offends the recipient, you can be arrested for harassment. If you send photos that are offensive, you may be in much deeper trouble than Weiner or Favre. Text is like e-mail, it's forever. You can't take it back.

How can we stem the tide of out-of-control texting?  New, dealing with distracted drivers need to be put in effect. A $100 ticket is not much of a deterrent for texters, especially in an affluent town like New Canaan. The penalties need to be much more severe. A total ban of texting in cars would be a good start. 

Ultimately, the of our children. Tell your kid to put the cell phone in the trunk or glove compartment before they start the car. Make them pay for their cell phone bills, don't just pick up the tab and allow them to text  at will. Encourage them to have a real live conversation instead of a text. Do something instead of nothing.

Texting can destroy reputations, careers, and lives. Every bad thing you text can have consequences. Every time you text while you're driving, you're putting your life and the lives of other in jeopardy. It's that simple.  Be smart, be safe, don't text and drive. Don't send anything out that could tarnish your life forever.