TEXTI

NG AND D

RIVIN

G

BY KRIS

TEN LO

ZANO

Today, many people are attached to their phones. It is a constant

need to text your friend back, update your social medias, or take

pictures. Constantly, teens are driving unsafely. When doing this,

little do they know they are risking their lives.

“If you’re doing 55 miles an hour and you look down at that phone, it usually takes about 4.2 seconds to do these texts, to send and receive them. You just went the length of the football field blind,” Jim Clair from the Ultimate Defensive Driving School said.

HOW TO PREVENT TEXTING AND DRIVING!• Keep your cell phone out of sight and out of mind when

behind the wheel.

• Silence your cell phone before driving.

• Designate a texter (if its that important, have the passenger send the message for you!)

• If you have to urgently take a call, pull over.

COLORADO LAWS FOR TEXTING AND DRIVING1. Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice

drivers (Primary law)

2. Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)

3. Colorado law prohibits drivers with any type of instruction permit from using a “mobile communication device,” including cell phones and text messaging units. This includes instruction permit holders of all ages.

(Note: Colorado defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.)

THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING SAFE

The most important thing is to stay safe when you are driving. When receiving your

license, you are being given a responsibility of staying safe on the road. You don’t only

risk yourself while texting and driving but you are also risking other drivers on the

road.