Broaden texting ban

The Gazette Editorial Board

Reports indicating Iowa's texting-while-driving law is tough to enforce isn't surprising.

Once again, we encourage officials to switch their focus to all distracted driving, regardless of the reason.

A more broadly written law could be a primary moving violation, which would allow our law enforcement officers to make a stop, instead of waiting on another infraction to take place.

While there is no doubt education on the dangers using the phone while driving should continue, we must also acknowledge that some thrive on risky behaviors and no amount of information is likely to sway such habits. Deterrents such as hefty ticket costs may be able to succeed where simple awareness-raising campaigns have not.

The current ban, while well intentioned, does little for overall safety. In fact, it may provide some with a false sense of security.

According to information from the Iowa Department of Public Safety, about 500 tickets have been written throughout the state for texting in the past two years.

That figure is likely a fraction of how many drivers are breaking the law.

If the dangers have not been exaggerated, it is well past time to give this particular infraction some teeth.

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