Bad behavior

Regarding “Text, crash, die” (Page A16, Wednes- day), I can only hope that your editorial provides a wake-up call to our legislators to get this bill passed — finally. There is absolutely no disputing the fact that anything taking one’s attention off the road is dangerous; study after study has underlined what should be obvious. The fact that this is the fourth time such legislation has been sponsored is proof positive as to how invested we are in our cellphones. But that investment is costing us dearly.

There is a time and place for everything. Talking and texting while driving is not that time or place. Shame on former Gov. Rick Perry for vetoing prior measures based on his characterization of this deadly behavior as a “governmental effort to micromanage the behavior of adults.” If that’s the case, let’s take a step back in time and remove the penalties for drunken driving — after all, isn’t that micromanaging adult behavior? On second thought, let’s not. Let’s just move into the 21st century and characterize distracted driving for what it is — a decision and behavior with deadly consequences.

Until personal choice is taken out of the equation and stiff penalties are enacted, this behavior will continue, as will the ever-climbing death toll because people will not put down their phones.

Nancy Jacobs, Houston