WSJ Report Washington State' Proposed Legislation Ban Texting During Driving

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) newspaper reported about the proposed state legislation in Washington State making "DWT": Driving While Texting a serious crime as a part of crackdown on modern "distracted driving" practice. Arizona also pended the legislation to classify DWT as a ticketable offense.

Joyce McDonald, GOP Washington State legislator pushed aggressively for making DWT a felony crime for anyone, who multitask during the driving. She found the co-sponsor across the party line, Democrat Dawn Morell.

Without controvesty behind the proposed legislation for making the DWT a felony crime. The wireless industry supporters vigorously opposed such a legislation, but strongly encouraged by the auto insurance companies, ex. AllState. The opponents of "DWT" legislation emphasized on the educational outreach to educate drivers about the dangers of engaging in electronic communication without defensive driving.

The proponents of proposed legislation on DWT pointed out to the latest statistics of auto accidents and auto deaths from the 37% of drivers between age of 18 and 27 tend to compose, send and read electronic messages during the driving phase. They used the public campaign like "Cell Phone 4oz. Car 2,800 lbs."

The remaining question is "Will this proposed offense be possibly enforceable?" Drivers would manage to turn off their electronic communication devices before law enforcement officers have any chance to catch anyone in the act.

The Wall Street Journal article could be found at www.wsj.com under Reporter Christopher Cooper.

ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)