Tech Addict..Deadly Stuff [Poll]

While I was driving to New Jersey 101.5 last Sunday, I assumed a lady who was driving erratically in the next lane was drunk.

[/caption]My original idea for this story was about "techno addicts."  I was going to focus on people addicted to video games, internet chat rooms, and tweeting.

The thing is, video games and chat rooms won't kill you.  While doing my research I thought about that lady who was swerving all over the place, going 35 miles an hour on a road with a speed limit of 50 and no traffic!  You may have guessed by now that the lady was texting while driving.  Is she a tech addict?  You bet. To the extreme and potentially deadly.

According to The National Safety Council 20 percent of the one million traffic accidents in 2011 were caused by drivers who were using hand held cellphones or were texting.  What's the number one killer of American teens?  Drugs and alcohol?  No, it's distracted driving.

This addiction isn't just about using cell phones while driving.  It's everything that's out there including BlackBerrys, iPhones, and PDAs.  The more I think about this, the more incensed I get.  For those who drink, use drugs and drive distracted, it's one thing to put yourself in harms way.  But, please don't jeopardize the lives of others.

Currently, if you're caught while on the phone or texting while driving in New Jersey, it's a $100 fine.  Second offense is two hundred bucks.  It's not until the third offense that a 90 day license suspension is imposed.  There are bills pending that would increase penalties.  The first offense would jump from a one hundred to a two hundred dollar fine.  So, should texting fines be as stiff as those for DWI?

Take the poll and give your opinion.