It is well known that in today’s world, many teens that drive have sent and received a text while behind the wheel.  For some, they are lucky and have not faced the reality of how dangerous texting and driving is. South Carolinahas been trying to pass a law that focuses on this issue by making texting and driving illegal. However, there really is no way to stop a driver from texting.  When looking away from the road to read a text, a driver is endangering themselves along with other cars around them.  Even though teens know the risk of texting and driving, some continue to do it where as other such as junior Morgan Schultz disagrees with texting behind the wheel.
“I think texting and driving is dumb and people shouldn’t do it,” says Schultz.
Texting while driving increases the risk of accident 23.2 times over unimpaired driving. So, if people know how bad texting while driving is, why do they do it?
Junior Beth White says, “I don’t know, I have stuff to say.”

Most teens do not realize the risk they are taking when taking their eyes off of the road.  It has been proven in previous car wrecks that five seconds before a teen crashed, they were texting.  Just talking on the phone increases a driver’s chance of crashing.  Driving and typing a text message takes more attention away from the road than talking on the phone.  This proves how little attention drivers pay to the road while texting.  In theory, drivers have more risk of an accident while texting than they do driving drunk.   Some states have already passed a law making texting while driving illegal such asGeorgia,Iowa,California,Colorado, andMinnesota.  The South Carolina Senate Bill 225 was previously considered and would have banned drivers from texting while operating a vehicle.  This law would not have constricted drivers of using hand-free devices or using their cell phone while parked or stopped. South Carolinais now trying to pass this bill in the 2012 election. If the bill is passed this go round, the penalty if caught will be more severe than originally planned.  The fine would be one hundred dollars plus a twenty-five dollar surcharge and two points added to the driver’s record.  If caught after the first offense, the driver will be penalized with up to ten years in prison and a fine of $10,000.  Being currently thirty-five other states with laws banning texting and driving, willSouth Carolinapass the bill in 2012?