Taking the wheel of safety: State needs to outlaw texting, driving

In 2020, Nebraska witnessed a tragic record of 19 lives lost in distracted driving accidents. The alarming surge in such incidents calls for immediate and decisive action. State Sen. Loren Lippincott’s proposed Legislative Bill 1033, advocating for the classification of texting while driving as a primary offense, is a crucial step toward addressing this critical issue. Nebraska must join the majority of states that have already recognized the importance of stricter measures to curb distracted driving.

The current law in Nebraska treats texting while driving as a secondary offense, akin to wearing a seat belt, allowing citations only if a driver is pulled over for another violation or involved in an accident. This approach has faced skepticism and questions from lawmakers, with concerns raised about enforcement challenges, defining violations, and potential bias in targeting drivers.

Sen. Lippincott’s proposal seeks to rectify these shortcomings by making texting while driving a primary offense, empowering law enforcement to stop and ticket drivers solely for this dangerous behavior. The concerns about where to draw the line and potential discrimination must be addressed through careful consideration of the bill’s language and implementation.

Critics argue that law enforcement already has the authority to address distracted driving through existing laws. However, the statistics speak for themselves – in 2020, the Nebraska State Patrol issued 112 tickets for texting while driving, indicating that the current secondary offense status may not be a sufficient deterrent.

Lt. Tim Owens of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the success of making texting a primary offense in changing driver behavior and reducing cell phone use while driving by up to 76%. Owens emphasized that driver behavior is responsive to cell phone laws, citing 35 accidents linked to cell phone use since 2019 in his jurisdiction alone.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office reported 3,924 vehicle crashes in 2020 where distracted driving was a factor, leading to a record 19 fatalities. With 31% of crashes involving drivers 19 years and younger attributed to cell phone use, it is evident that stricter measures are needed to address this alarming trend.

Enforcement challenges were acknowledged during the committee hearing, emphasizing the need for a more robust legal framework. Eric Koeppe of Safe Driving Nebraska pointed out that making texting only a secondary offense sends the wrong message to officers and drivers, implying that it is not a priority.

Opponents argue that LB 1033 unfairly singles out texting as a distraction over other activities like watching videos or eating while driving. However, focusing on texting is a targeted response to a specific and prevalent danger on the roads.

While some concerns about the bill’s prioritization and implementation remain, the urgency of addressing distracted driving cannot be overstated. Gov. Jim Pillen’s acknowledgment of the seriousness of distracted driving after a personal incident underscores the need for serious conversations on this issue.

Nebraska has an opportunity to take a significant step toward ensuring the safety of its roads by passing LB 1033. It’s time to prioritize the lives of Nebraskans and join the majority of states in making texting while driving a primary offense. Let us not wait for more tragedies to occur – the time for action is now.