Photo by Lisa Bartoli and unknown | The State Press Recent Tempe ordinance creates fines of up to $500 for repeat offenses of using electronics while driving. (Photo illustration)

By Editorial Board | 10/26/2015 7:22pm

From mindlessly driving down the highway to waiting for a light to turn green, any time behind the wheel is an opportune time many use to send a quick text or skip a couple songs on Pandora.

This past weekend, Tempe's newly passed ordinance against using electronics while driving, complete with a campaign that has worried mothers all riled up. Truthfully, they have a reason for worry, since one in four vehicle crashes involve a cell phone.

In a college town like Tempe, as well as the Phoenix metro area where ASU students drive, college students are at an even higher risk due to our addiction to mobile devices. The new law has made it unlawful to use an electronic device while operating a vehicle “if such driving constitutes a risk to that person or others.” Law enforcement will have grounds to cite an individual if they are driving erratically or have caused an accident.

The penalty consists of a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 for the third offense if they occur in a 24-month period. College students will not want to pay these fines, and most will not have the funds to do so. Taking this ordinance in this direction will most likely lead students to cease texting at the wheel, if only to save chunk of change. Not only will the fines encourage students to not commit the criminal offense, but the revenue could potentially go to a viable need within the city of Tempe, if used properly.

This new ordinance is a much needed regulation because of the safety issues that come with our recent technological progress, but the recent branding tackles the issue far too simply, and quite frankly, all wrong.

The campaign, which is marketed as against texting and driving, treats this new law as a one-dimensional restriction. The real overarching issue we need to give our unwavering attention to is to reduce distracted driving as an activity we participate in all too often.

We’ve all seen (sometimes looking back at us) the glamour girl painting on lipstick, even going as far to gawk in their visor mirror to apply mascara. We’ve viewed someone chowing down on a Big Mac and swerving down the road in the process.

Nine individuals each day die “from motor vehicle accidents that involved distracted driving, such as using a cellphone, texting or eating.” Distracted driving is what causes accidents, and though texting falls within that category, we need to realize the messaging surrounding the law should include that this ordinance is part of a wider campaign to keep people from being distracted drivers.

There is already a law in action currently that reads, “No person shall operate a motorized play vehicle or motorized skateboard while carrying any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from keeping both hands upon the steering mechanism at all times,” within general operating restrictions.

Since the issue at hand is already previously restricted, this additional ordinance has given the Tempe Police Department a more concrete penalty written into law when someone has found to be texting and driving.

At the end of the day, whether you yourself text and drive, or those around you, each person is in danger when it occurs. Tempe has created and put into action a much needed law, but we must keep in mind it is not only using your phone that puts an individual's life in danger, it is anything that may be distracting your eyes from the road, and keeping your hands from the wheel.

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