Texting and driving has always been a problem and a lingering thought in the mind of Ben Lieberman. Approximately 660,000 drivers are attempt to use their phones while behind the wheel of an automobile everyday (Edgar Snyder Associates). Smartphones have made it easy for us to stay connected at all times. But that can pose serious safety risks if someone decides to check his or her text messages, emails, phone calls, or any other mobile applications while driving.

A new source of technology called “the textalyzer,” is an innovation designed by the company Cellebrite, to prohibit the number of texting and driving collisions. The textalyzer is  almost like a breathalyzer testing if a driver is drunk, instead, the textalyzer tests if a driver was on the phone while driving.  An officer can simply walk up to the driver, attach a cord to connect the device to the phone and see the last time when they opened their phone. By simply tapping a button and in 90 seconds it will show the last activities without ‘supposedly’ downloading materials from the user’s phone. Could this mean a last text message? An open app? A private web page?  Is this a violation of privacy?

Personally we feel this brings up many problems. First being the security of privacy, but also a violation to our fourth amendment right: no illegal search and seizures without a warrant and probable cause. Every time a police officer checks a phone, they would have to get a warrant every time from a judge and be asked to incorporate evidence of probable cause. This doesn’t seem like an effective solution to stopping collisions.

According to NPR, Lieberman argues that New York’s current laws of no texting and driving are a joke, hence the implementation of the textalyzer. If this bill is passed then the failure to comply to an officer can become serious. If a driver refuses a cop to see the individual’s phone then their license will be suspended or revoked. This stay seem reasonable but again, what if an individual feels their right of privacy if forcibly being taken away?

Lieberman first became adamant about texting and driving accidents when his son, Evan, was killed in an accident by someone texting on the phone. Apparently whoever was driving Evan lied and said he dozed off while swerving into another person’s lane, facing a head on collision. Because the phone was damaged in the wreckage, Lieberman had no probable cause but later issued a subpoena to see the phone records of the driver and found that the accident was due to texting and driving. Evan suffered from internal injuries and a month later died. Lieberman carries this story of his son with him and tries to make the streets a safer place, starting with New York City.

Although this could infringe upon our rights and civil liberties, it also could protect us and our future rights. The textalyzer is used to create retribution for distracted drivers and enforce the no texting and driving laws. This could plummet fatality rates of texting and driving collisions and stop stories like Lieberman’s son’s from happening. Currently, 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving and 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving. Not only could the textalyzer benefit our society but also save our lives (Edgar Snyder Associates).

Have you ever been a culprit? Have you ever answered a call, sent a text, changed the song, or opened Facebook on a phone while driving? If so, we feel this implementation has some standing. Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field (Edgar Snyder Associates).

Texting and driving is a serious problem and to help save our readers from a ticket, and a collision, we urge everyone to stay off their phone while driving. Keep it in your purse or in the center console. No call, text, song or update is worth it. Just ask senator Lieberman.

Therefore, we shouldn’t have to rely on laws to keep us alive. As a society we should already know the ramifications of texting and driving. If we never text and drive our right to privacy wouldn’t be challenged right now. The solution isn’t to create more laws but to become responsible citizens.