State should ban driving while texting

When can Illinois be a leader and not a follower? How many more avoidable accidents, injuries and deaths must occur before the General Assembly bans the use of wireless devices for those driving an automobile?

A survey commissioned by the mobile messaging service, Pinger Inc., found 89 percent of respondents believe texting while driving is dangerous and should be outlawed. However, 66 percent of adults surveyed who drive and use text messaging told pollsters they had read messages or e-mails while driving.

Fifty-seven percent admitted to sending them.

It's time to ban outright the use of wireless devices for those who also wish to drive at the same time. If you drive and need to use your device, kindly pull over, get to safe area and text or chat away.

It's way past time for Illinois to ban the use of the devices by the drivers of motorized vehicles.

Mark Stastny

Rolling Meadows