Comment for Colleague

     Ms. Contreras brought up some great points when it comes to having your full divided attention on the road. I agree with what she wrote for the most part that texting and driving can be dangerous and deadly.

     Mobile devices are very popular in this modern time and we can all agree that they have lead to an increase of car crashes over the years.  Distracted driving is becoming a problem and I do agree that something should be done. This is comming from a person that has recently totaled his car and have had to face the consequences from becoming victim of a dreadful text message. This being said, I am fully aware of how dangerous and fatal it is to not have your full attention on the road. However, I do believe that technology has approved over the years and that there are better safe methods to using the cell phone while driving. Though texting and driving can be still very reckless, I don't think Texas should ban all use of mobile devices. I think that with the simple use of a bluetooth or handsfree headphone device, it will eliminate any reason for anyone to look down at their phone to become destracted. I'm not saying that everyone is great at multitasking, but talking and driving is less dangerous than texting while driving.

     Banning texting should be done in Texas and not just in school zones. Texas should also require the use of a hands-free device when using cell  phones. This I'm sure would reduce accidents and fatal crashes due to distracted driving. Overall I do agree with Ms. Contreras that everyone is responsible for being aware of their surroundings, and that Texas should do something to prevent distracted driving.

Speed Limit Changes Aren't So Bad

   You may have already noticed that speed limit signs have increased in not only Austin but all of Texas.  This is because of the of a recent bill that was passed by the Texas Legislature and Gov. Rick Perry. This bill allows the TxDOT to authorize speeds of up to 85 mph on some Texas highways. Currently each state has the power to regulate its own speed limits. Texas has already changed its law for no longer having separate speed limits for day and night, now they are slowly increasing its speed limits. Nobody knows if these changes will increase or decrease car accidentes on the highway but these changes can't be all bad.

   Some people may arguge that speed certainly kills, but I argue that time is money. Yes certaintly the faster you go the slower reaction time you have therefore the longer it takes for you to stop. I think you should most likely should worry about a car going 20 miles under the speed limit then a car going 5 miles over it. There are many safety concerns for raising the speed limit but why are they continuing to rise? Texas is one of the largest states and has the most roads with 520 miles of interstate highway. Most of these highways are wide and long. 85mph is dangerous but not so life threatening when your the only car on the road and you have over 10 miles in visibility. I think Texas is just trying to make it easier on motorists to get to there destination faster.


   As for raising the speed limit in crowded citys, I think it could help reduce traffic. According to an artical in the austin american statesmen, Austin currently has the third worst traffic in the United States. If Texas contine to raise its speed limits, then people could get to there destination faster and there would be fewer motorist on the road. This will slow down congestion time so it would take longer for traffic to build up.

   Among helping move along traffic, it could possibly decrease the number of tickets given out each year. Comming from a person who is currently paying off a speeding ticket, there is no way that some highways should be 60mph when there is no traffic on the road. I think Texas should continue to raise its speed limits appropriately. It could help reduce time, traffic, and fines which I'm sure could all save us money.