Alabama Considers New Texting Ban to Fight Increase in Distracted Driver Accidents
In a move possibly inspired by neighboring state Georgia, Alabama is considering the same type of distracted driving law implemented in July for the entire state of Georgia. This law made it illegal for drivers to hold their phone, GPS, tablet, or any device while driving—or even while the driver is stopped at a red light. Rather than being called a “no-texting” law, the proposed bill would be known as a distracted driving law, with a first offense carrying a $50 fine, adding two points to an Alabama driver’s license. A second offense would add three points to a driver’s license—the same number of points as many other driving violations, including speeding. In the state of Alabama, racking up 12-14 points on a driver’s license during a specific length of time can result in a license suspension.
Cell phones are a marvel of technology that offers the opportunity to be connected at nearly any time and in nearly any place. Just because they offer this opportunity, however, doesn’t mean that we should necessarily take it.
In recent years, there has been a fair amount of public backlash over the constant use of smartphones. Over-use in public settings, like restaurants and movie theaters, has been deemed rude and obnoxious. Games have been created to reward people for not using their cell phones. (Consider the game that has restaurant guests placing their phones in the center of the table during the meal, and whoever reaches for his or her phone first pays the bill). And a recent prankster garnered millions of YouTube hits after he uploaded a 
If you don’t want to crash, a new 