Columbia sees no tickets in 10 months as police grapple with enforcing new law
The ban does not exist statewide; only five cities in South Carolina have similar laws in place. One is Clemson, which has had a ban in place since 2010. Yet according to The Greenville News, police officers have only written about 10 tickets. Are these bans actually doing anything to stop texting and driving in South Carolina cities? From an enforcement stand point, the answer is an obvious no.
This failure of enforcement has effectively undone the hard work put forth to establish this ban in the first place. Police officers could be to blame for not handing out tickets, but texting while driving is a challenging offense to prove. Cellphones can't be searched without probably cause, and the searches themselves might anger city residents who — given the political reality of this state — take their freedom from government very seriously. It looks like a larger plan is necessary if Columbia truly wishes to take a stand against texting and driving.
It is time for officials and citizens alike to show some creativity in their attempts to make the roads of Columbia safer for everyone. Several strategies could be employed in addition to the ban to prevent people from texting and driving. The city of Columbia should take the initiative to make its ban worthwhile by ensuring that everyone understands the risks associated with breaking this law. Businesses and institutions can work to promote awareness throughout the community. Driver education programs should devote a substantial amount of time to addressing the perils of texting and driving, especially since recent studies suggest texting and driving is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Young drivers are learning these lessons quickly, but plenty of seasoned drivers received their licenses at a time when cellphones did not even exist. Members of the older crowd may be even more reluctant to refrain from sending a text while behind the wheel because they believe they have enough experience that they can handle multitasking. In a society that is increasingly mobile and dependant on electronic devices, adults need strong reminders to put down their phones when driving.
The possibilities to raise awareness are endless, and, at a time when personal freedoms are a controversial topic nationwide, the answer to improving road safety does not rest solely with legislators and police officers. Preventative measures sound like a better approach, especially in a state such as South Carolina, where citizens are often hesitant to support laws that restrict their freedoms in any manner. If state officials and citizens can work together to find more effective methods, a norm can be established against it, leaving drivers both safer and happier.