Distracted legislators

U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller has been going around the state discussing “distracted driving” with groups of young people. Of course, he means such things as texting and cell phone use while driving.

During the Martinsburg session, Berkeley County Sheriff Kenny Lemaster said his office gets complaints about reckless driving on I-81 dozens of times a day. The reason is usually people driving at high speed while talking on cell phones.

Rockefeller said thousands of people die each year in accidents caused by texting and cell phone use, and tens of thousands are injured. He’s promoting a national Distracted Driving Prevention Act, which would give grants to states that enact laws prohibiting texting and hand-held cell phone use while driving.

The senator’s method is a good one. Similar incentives were given years ago to encourage laws requiring seatbelts.

Perhaps federal dollars will get the attention of West Virginia lawmakers who have been asleep at the wheel on this subject. Once again this year, bills prohibiting texting and handheld cell phone use died in committee.
Maybe the legislators were too busy twittering and blowing hard air to take on an issue that truly affects people’s lives and safety.