This month, a new Alabama law took effect, creating a statewide ban on texting while driving.

The law imposes fines that increase with each offense and penalizes a driver’s record by two points per offense.

That can get very expensive, very fast.

However, the human cost is much higher. A driver who texts is 23 times more likely to get in an accident.

In fact, the reaction time of someone who texts while driving is even slower than the reaction time of a drunk or someone on drugs.

A number of communities had already passed local ordinances against texting and driving. Our state legislators took the step to cover every roadway in Alabama during this past 2012 legislative session. In Covington County, we applaud Senator Jimmy Holley and Representative Mike Jones for participating in the unanimous vote to approve the legislation.

But as even our elected leaders will tell you, laws alone will not curb the deaths, injuries and property damage. We must alter our behavior in a world that often demands we stay connected.

Please do your part and take the pledge not to text and drive.

Gigi Armbrecht

Regional Director, AT&T Alabama

Mobile