Utah Is Serious Business

Utah has just passed a law that makes texting while driving punishable by up to 15 years in prison. From the New York Times:

After a crash here that killed two scientists — and prompted a dogged investigation by a police officer and local victim’s advocate — Utah passed the nation’s toughest law to crack down on texting behind the wheel. Offenders now face up to 15 years in prison.

The new law, which took effect in May, penalizes a texting driver who causes a fatality as harshly as a drunken driver who kills someone. In effect, a crash caused by such a multitasking motorist is no longer considered an “accident” like one caused by a driver who, say, runs into another car because he nodded off at the wheel. Instead, such a crash would now be considered inherently reckless.

“It’s a willful act,” said Lyle Hillyard, a Republican state senator and a big supporter of the new measure. “If you choose to drink and drive or if you choose to text and drive, you’re assuming the same risk.

So I guess the moral of the story is...shit I don't know.

Don't drive through Utah? That's a bit of a laugh considering US Interstates 15, 80, and 70 must each pass through the Beehive State en route to their respective terminii on the west coast.

Don't pass overzealous topical public safety laws to pander to the frenzied masses? Pfft. That's what politics in this country was built on, son.

Don't text and drive? Dammit I guess that's the one.

via gizmodo