A quick text isn't worth someone's life

With a new law in effect banning texting while you are driving in Indiana, I have to admit that I am guilty.

I was, at least, until I found out that I could get a ticket for doing so. Since then, I have turned my phone on vibrate during my commutes to diminish my desire to reach over and read what my sister or friends have to say via text message.

There has been an uproar throughout the state regarding the new law, and despite my slight addiction to texting I hope it is one law they enforce.

Just last week I was sitting at a stop sign, waiting for the man in front of me to finally get his football length gap between cars in order to turn left. I waited impatiently, and grabbed my cell phone to see what the message from my sister said.

I was completely oblivious to my surroundings, and as the truck in front of me nudged forward in a failed attempt to turn, I accelerated. Luckily, I had stopped far enough behind him that I could brake quickly when I realized he apparently needed two football fields to make the turn.

It scared me, and I realized that I didn't want to have to explain the situation to my parents, considering I am still covered under their insurance policy. My insurance bill would raise, and I definitely did not want to have to pay the extra money.

Sure, accidents happen. There are other distractions around us, such as friends, radios and objects bouncing around on the floor board. Those other distractions do not require your devout attention like a text message reply does.

If you change the radio station, it will not accidentally send a profane word to your mom like t9 or predictive texting will do. You have to be careful to spell out each word, and not just look down from time to time. I am sure you have seen the auto correct website, filled with countless "iFails", as they are referred to.

A message that asks what you are up to is not worth risking your insurance premiums, and most definitely not yours or someone else's life.

It just takes a second for a child to lose their ball in a street. If your eyes are diverted, a tragedy could occur.

No one can outlaw the changing of radio stations or fast food drive-thrus, but the texting law should be a warning that anything distracting your eyes from the road poses a potential hazard.

My car was spared because of quick reflexes and perceptive eyes. Maybe I won't be so lucky next time, but I have no intentions of trying my luck again.

Sabrina is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or by email at swestfall@gcdailyworld.com .