Texting While Driving Ban Shows Slow Process For Good Change

A no-brainer for most people, doing anything while driving takes focus away from the actual driving and presents a danger not just to people behind the wheel, but to anyone in their path. 

In August 2009, the Missouri legislature banned texting while driving only for those age 21 or younger. The reasoning was that this group has the least amount of driving experience and should be focusing soley on the road. Adults, however, can presumably handle the distraction. At least that’s the message that was sent from our state Capitol.

A proposal was passed in the Missouri Senate last week banning all motorists from sending, writing or reading text messages while driving.

In my opinion, it is no coincidence that we protect our youth on election years and deal with the more restrictive laws that will affect more voters in nonelection years. I don’t completely blame the legislators. It happens with all types of issues. It is the way our political system is designed.

Currently, the members of the Missouri House are elected every two years and each member can only serve for a total of eight years.

When legislators are held to this limitation, it is very difficult to make leaps and bounds to solve policy issues. As a result, many public problems of our day go unsolved, or worse, are given feeble attempts at a solution.

Prior to 1992, when legislators could serve more than eight years, it was easier for local projects and concerns to get their attention. Ideas for problem solving could be formed and implemented with the appropriate detail and substance required to solve the problem.

If local officials can serve for many years, and do a good job, they will be re-elected. The same should go for state legislators. Just when legislators start getting good at their jobs, they are required to quit.

So if we are frustrated by proposals that just seem to scratch a problem’s surface, we need to look at how common sense never factored into the equation. State legislators should not be held back by term limits. Term limits lead to problem-solving limits.

If current proposals to end term limits make it to the forefront this year, don’t think of it as a self-serving attempt by politicians to keep their jobs. Think of it as an investment in common sense legislating that will help everyone keep their eyes on the road, at all times.