Texting Tragedy

Witness links distracted driving to crash that killed 13

It was horrific news. On Wednesday a pickup collided with a church bus near Concan, Texas, about 75 miles west of San Antonio.

The bus passengers were from the First Baptist Church of New Braunfels. Thirteen died in the crash and two others were injured.

It’s hard to imagine how things could get worse. But they have.

Over the weekend, news came out that a witness says the truck driver was texting while behind the wheel.

The Texas Department of Public Safety wouldn’t confirm the texting, but it did say the driver of the pickup appeared to have veered across the center highway line.

The National Highway Traffic Safety board said that it was looking into the possibility of distracted driving, among other possible causes.

The witness said he saw the truck being driven erratically—and had even called the authorities to intervene. After the crash, the witness was able to get to the injured 20-year-old driver, who allegedly kept saying he was sorry and that he had been texting. The driver remains hospitalized.

The tragedy may well have been avoided. But texting and driving isn’t illegal in Texas.

Texas is one of just four states that has no ban on texting while driving, though some municipalities have local laws covering it. A proposal to do so statewide passed the Legislature back in 2011. Gov. Rick Perry vetoed it as an example of the “nanny state.”

This session, another bill to ban texting and driving has passed the state House. It hasn’t been voted on in the state Senate.

They should. And Gov. Greg Abbott should sign it into law.

Will it stop everyone from texting and driving? No. But it will deter some. And will allow those who ignore the law to be held criminally accountable.

There is simply no reason to text and drive. None. And those 13 lives should make that clear as can be.