Editor’s Note: Evening Sun intern Tori Russell interviewed six students from Norwich High School, grades 10 to 12, asking them about the new texting-while-driving legislation. Half of those were confused at first, as they were unaware that new legislation had even been passed, yet after learning that it had, all had an opinion on the topic.
The first student, a tenth grade male who had recently received his license, said that, while he didn’t text and drive or even know anyone that did, he thought that the law was a good one, that it just “made sense,” while a second student – a tenth grade female, soon to be licensed to drive – said she thought the law in general was “stupid.”
“Texting and driving isn’t safe, but there shouldn’t be such a big penalty,” she added.
The student went on to state that while she herself doesn’t text and drive, she knows someone that does regularly and has never been in an accident or pulled over for using her cell phone behind the wheel.
Another male tenth grader said that he thought the law was “definitely a good idea” because it would make for less accidents. And while he doesn’t know anybody who texts and drives, he said he didn’t think that should matter as it’s still unsafe.
An eleventh grade male said the law is a bad one. When asked why, he simply stated that “it’s dumb.” He had recently received his license and said he does text and drive, although he knows people who do, but those students have never been in an accident. For those reasons, he said he felt it was perfectly fine for people to text and drive, and that there shouldn’t be such harsh penalties for doing so.
The next student, a senior who has been driving for more than a year, said that she thought the law made a lot of sense because too many people don’t pay attention when they’re driving. She said while she has never personally texted while driving, she knows a lot of people who do. Those students have never been in any kind of accident, but three, she said, have been pulled over for it. She added that getting caught didn’t stop them from continuing to text and drive.
The final student, a male senior who has also been driving for a while, said the new laws are a good idea because they keep people safe. He doesn’t text while driving and said he didn’t know anyone who does.
The only students who felt that texting and driving laws are unfair were new drivers who have been driving no longer than a month. Those who said they knew someone who texted while driving noted it was either a parent or a friend their own age. – Tori Russell