New York has introduced ‘texting zones’ to the state’s highways in a bid to prevent accidents cause by people texting whilst driving.
91 texting zones have been created in New York, with 298 signs strategically placed along the highways to inform motorists of their locations.
Similar to service stations which provide drivers with a place to rest their weary eyes and perk up with a coffee, texting zones are specifically designed for motorists to use for texting, rather than risk it on the road.
New York has even raised its fines for texting offences, starting at $50 to $150 for the first offence, up to $200 for the second and a maximum of $400 for the third.
Texting can also be more distracting than speaking on the phone when driving, as texting requires your eyes to be focused on the phone rather than the road and your hands aren’t fully in control of the wheel.
Even though people know the risks, a shocking 69% of drivers in the US aged between 18-64 have admitted to talking on the phone whilst driving, and 31% have read or sent text messages or emails behind the wheel.
This is definitely something that could translate well across the Atlantic to our shores, as I believe Brits are particularly guilty of using phones when driving.
Especially with the rise of smartphones and the amount people rely on them, whether it’s for texts, emails, games or browsing the web, these texting zones don’t sound like a bad idea. With so much to explore at our fingertips and the temptation to do so during any time of the day, maybe we could adopt texting zones too, to prevent any future tragedies and keep our eyes on the road.
