As reported by the New York Times, an organization of state highway safety officials is calling for a ban on texting while driving. Lately this issue is getting a lot of attention in the media and on the web with the recent public service video that shows a violent car accident caused by a teen texting while driving. The video shows a teenage driver and her friends in a car when the driver crosses over into the lane of oncoming traffic while sending a text . The accident kills the girl’s friends and shows graphic close-ups of one of the girl’s head slamming into the car window. The video has been viewed over 4 million times on You Tube and other sites, but has been criticized by some as being too violent.

However, that kind of attention is just what the Governor’s Highway and Safety Association needs to persuade legislators to institute a ban on texting while driving. A complete ban is a reversal of policy for the group which previously questioned the effectiveness of banning texting because it would be difficult to enforce anti-texting laws. The group now argues that a ban will send a message to the public that texting while driving is dangerous and unacceptable. For more information about the association’s position, read the press release here.

Part of the problem with texting while driving is that most people still do it even though they know how dangerous it is. Because we drive our cars so much, especially here in Orlando, drivers take for granted how dangerous driving while distracted can be on our busy Orlando roads. Obviously, being distracted for even a few seconds can lead to automobile accidents that can cause serious personal injury or even death. As this video shows, most people are aware of the dangers of being distracted while driving, but continue to do it anyway. What do you think?

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3334140&w=425&h=350&fv=]