The next offense: Driving while Texting
10-02-08

From a recent Associated Press report: Federal authorities investigating why a commuter train engineer ran through a red signal and into an oncoming freight train have confirmed he was text messaging while working the day of the fatal collission. The AP goes on to say the California Public Utilities Commission is set to vote on banning the use of cell phones while working. While these policies are in place they are largely ignored.

I'm not surprised, and sadly I'm afraid this isn't the last we'll hear about how our newest technology, especially texting , has invited more trouble in our lives. I can't stand phone texting. It's annoying, time consuming and a collosal waste of time. Now, it seems it's also fatal. Email I understand. You're sitting at home or in your office in a safe place and you can get loads done on email, online, sending attachments and much more. Email, even instant messaging online I can see a case be made for as useful, functional and efficient. Texting is cumbersome, it's got a language all its own and for God's sake what's the problem with picking up the phone to make a call and SPEAK to someone? You're already 'on the phone' with your text messaging, you might as well make a call. Notice a lot of the carriers are not allowing for any free or additional minutes with texting, your monthly alottment is what you receive and there are no 'free periods'. Don't think these carriers don't know where the money is. Texting minutes and adding those into your plans are cell phone companies equivalent of asking if we'd like 'Fries with our order'. We sure love our fries, and we love our texting. Studies are showing, not surprisingly, we're texting at or MORE than using our cell phones for voice options.

The other thing about texting is it's everywhere, it seems rare a day goes by that someone's trying to text me. I always return their intrusion with a call. You've heard it before, some people are best reached through emails, others through calls on their cell, now texting is making a run. I'm waiting for the day when my sales people tell me they just 'texted' a client and are awaiting an order. At a recent Quakertown High School Football game the stands are filled with kids and adults texting away -- some are on the phone, more are texting. Nevermind there's a game going on with an undefeated ( as of this column's writing ) football team in our town. All these technological gadgets have distracted us from the reason we all went to Alumni Field. I've said before this instant availability of technology whether it's with phones, now texting and who knows what's next creates a never ceasing let up on our time and attention. Some say this whole model attacks the family. More distractions, less time with our kids and our loved ones threatens the family unit. Families suffer when there's a lack of time and attention. I've experienced this first hand and with the pressures of modern living and today's work enviornment it's becoming more of a problem than ever before.

Why I'm so down on texting is because it's one more thing that creates a divide between real human contact. Don't text or call the one you love, be with them. Use the amount of time you collectively spend on texting to be with some of the people you care about. I was told recently 'texting' is useful if you need to have your phone on 'silent' or 'can't talk' due to the nature of where you may be and what you may be doing. Fine, if that's the case your phone should be off completely. If there's an emergency I'm sure you'll find out what's wrong. We're all so afraid to 'miss something' that we never want our beloved technology off. The problem is all these distractions get us missing the most important thing in our lives, those around us. I know a few people that are going to tell me to take my own advice ( not so much for texting but emailing and being online ). Fair enough. First way to fix a problem is to know you have one. Texting , a new way to communicate and a far cry from the genuine article. Being together. Hoping you're 'hands free' -- see 'ya around town.