Texting and Driving
Kaylynn Clark
We have all heard how dangerous texting and driving is as well as the consequences. Our parents have told us, Oprah has told us, it is even possible law enforcers have told us at some point. Though there is much hype and disgrace that comes with texting and driving, but yet it is still a common occurrence that is predominantly associated with young people and college students especially college students that commute. I had many questions that were unanswered, and I wondered if texting and driving on the commute to Taft was common. I decided to take a survey of Taft College students, 25 selected randomly to be exact, and the results were definitely eye opening.
Out of 25 students surveyed, 20 admitted to texting and driving at some point on the way to school. Out of the 20 that have texted on the road, they felt that they text and drive because they feel bored (13 people reported this) or use the same route multiple times in a day so they feel comfortable doing it (7 reported this), just like the commute from Bakersfield, Shafter or Wasco to Taft. Unfortunately, the implications of the student’s honesty can allude to the fact that many students text and drive on the way to school.
Though I am convinced that most have in fact texted while driving at least once, there are many things to prevent it from becoming a habit. First, turn your phone off while driving. If you are on campus all day, it may help you keep your battery life so that you can text after classes or between breaks. As well, students can also commute with a friend that can easily text from their passenger’s seat or help you to feel social while driving to Taft. Overall, I hope this survey speaks volumes of how common and dangerous it can be to commute and text to and from school.