e g h iin Ti er l THE
Oct. 20, 2009 Volume 50 Issue 6
1015 Division St. Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Texting while driving draws attention Ellen Gustavson Staff Writer
It’s killed thousands of people and injured thousands more. The statistics are overwhelming. If something isn’t done about it soon, it will only get worse. Is it swine flu? No, this epidemic on the minds of the public and policy makers is texting while driving. Lately, it seems people and cell phones have been joined at the hip — and driving is no exception. Texting while driving is becoming more and more popular, even though studies show it quadruples the risk of collision. An AAA (American Automobile Association) study shows that 61 percent of teens admit to risky driving, and 46 percent of those say they text while driving. Junior Mary Jo Baumgartner admits that she texts while she drives and explained, “I don’t like making people wait just because I’m driving, which may sound stupid. I haven’t had a problem with it yet, so I’m not
worried, I guess.” Another AAA study shows that about a third of drivers feel less safe driving today than they did five years ago. The main reason: being distracted while driving. “I can see drivers with their heads down, sometimes even illuminated by their phone glowing when it’s dark ... they’re weaving in and out of their lane,” drivers’ education teacher Kevin Stewart said. “It’s definitely an increasing problem.” But perhaps the most telling statistic is that, according to the AAA, of the 95 percent who think texting while driving is unacceptable, about one fifth of them have done it in the past month anyway. Sophomore Jeff Daniels said, “That’s the stupidest thing you could do. Texting while driving is like driving with your eyes closed.” Some students have other opinions, though. “I only text while I’m at stop lights,” junior Sara Buffington said. “I think cops have other stuff they should worry about besides texting and driving.”
For many, though, the cops should not be involved in an issue of personal choice. Junior Cassie Crotty said, “It’s a person’s right to make their own decisions, even if they’re stupid ones. Yeah, it’s dangerous, but it should be a choice, not a regulation.” According to the Obama administration, nearly 6,000 deaths and 500,000 injuries last year were blamed on distracted driving. President Obama signed a bill a few weeks ago banning federal employees from texting while driving and is now looking at banning bus drivers and truckers. But is that enough? Others think no one should be allowed to text while driving. Stewart agreed, “Yes, of course there should be ban.” Eighteen states and the District of Columbia already banned texting while driving for everyone, and nine states banned new drivers from the practice. The Iowa House has failed twice to pass a bill banning texting while driving, but there are plans to pro-
Ellen Gustavson Photo Illustration
The growing trend of cell phone use while driving has many people asking for a ban on texting while driving.
pose another bill next year. Mary Stahlhut from the Department of Transportation said, “I can’t guess what the Iowa or national legislators may do. In Iowa, I hope they will pass a bill banning texting
while driving because it would send a firm message to all drivers that texting is an unsafe habit. The ‘need’ to text while driving is as dangerous as DUI and is not worth risking a death, injury or even a fender-bender for.”
Three seniors receive academic distinction Donald Halbmaier Staff Writer
Three CFHS students have recently been awarded with the title National Merit Scholar SemiFinalist. Seniors Alex Judisch, Amelia McMurrin and Micheal Ore have earned the honor after completing the PSAT/NMS Qualifying Test. “It’s a huge honor for students, that demonstrates their academics. It’s like state championship for sports or All-State for a musician,” guidance counselor Susan Langan said. Each student has plans for what to do with the opportunities. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to do well enough on my SAT that I make it to
be a finalist. If I do that then a lot of scholarship opportunities open up to me that I’d love to take advantage of,” Judisch said. Two students were also commended by the program. Seniors Vincent Stigliani and Stephanie Welch scored high on the PSAT, yet not quite high enough to make the Semi-Finalist cutoff. With a major test like the PSAT, preparation is key said both McMurin and Judisch. “A lot of things prepared me for the PSAT. I had taken the ACT once before, and I would say the ITEDs also offered good preparation,” Judisch said. Judisch and the other two students are now on their way to the NMS finals, which is no easy task.
To become a NMS finalist, they must take the SAT and get a score of at least 1960, fill out an application, write an essay and get a letter of recommendation from a qualified person. “Some finalists get full-ride scholarships depending on the school,” From left to right seniors Michael Ore, Amelia McMurrin and Alex Judisch all Langan said. That has already are National Merit Scholar Scmi-Finalists. become an opinion for one of the students. The NMS Program definitely has “Being a NMS student has also “Some colleges have offered me been an important aspect in previous encouraged me to continue workfull tuition if I become a finalist,” students’ and current semi-finalists’ ing hard my senior year to keep my McMurrin said. lives. grades consistent,” McMurrin said.