Arrive alive, Kaua‘i

We don’t drink and drive for a good reason — it impairs our ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Recent studies show texting while driving is even more dangerous, in terms of slower reaction times and the subsequent extra distance traveled due to applying the brakes later.

For this reason and a host of others, we support Kaua‘i County Councilman Derek Kawakami’s proposed legislation that would outlaw texting and talking on cell phones while driving a motor vehicle.

We also agree with the exceptions detailed in the draft version of the bill, which will likely be introduced on the council floor after the County Attorney’s Office finishes its legal review. Allowing hands-free devices makes sense, as does permitting 911 calls and letting drivers who use two-way radios for work-related duties. These are special cases.

But for the rest of us who routinely talk on the phone while commuting to work, scan our iPhones for new e-mails while driving home or tap out text messages en route to a dinner date, we are smarter than that.

Is such communication so critical that we seriously risk endangering ourselves and others on the road?

Distracted driving, whether it is due to using mobile electronic devices or simply not paying attention for some other reason, leads to thousands of deaths and injuries every year.

Yet we continue to do it.

We wish a law wasn’t necessary to wake us up, but it is. Many drivers — including us — believe they can handle the challenge of navigating sharp curves at night with a distracted mind and one hand on the wheel. Until the inevitable crash happens, we naively believe we’re invincible.

That’s why the Kaua‘i County Council and the Kaua‘i Police Department are being asked to step up and protect us from ourselves and, more importantly, from each other. When a motorcyclist chooses to forego a helmet, they’re taking their life in their hands. Same goes for a driver opting to not wear a seatbelt.

But when you drive impaired — whether it’s due to alcohol, drugs or electronics — you’re endangering yourself and everyone on the road. How often do distracted drivers look up from their tech toys to see themselves drifting onto the shoulder or into oncoming traffic? How many times do you think you can play Russian roulette without someone getting hurt?

Kaua‘i is far from alone in considering this important action. The City and County of Honolulu is already enforcing such a ban. The Big Island has passed a law that will take effect in January, and Maui is considering a similar ordinance. If all goes as Kawakami plans, Kaua‘i will join these three islands right around the first quarter of 2010.

Public education and awareness will be key. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

For now, why don’t we take it upon ourselves to get used to the inevitable. Keep an eye out for sales on hands-free devices, pick up a set and start familiarizing yourself with it.

It’s not a matter of if, but when this law goes into effect on Kaua‘i. It’s for our own good too, so why wait?

Clearly, we are concerned about other aspects of driving safety, such as how fast we drive through “Blood Alley” on Kuhio Highway.

The state Department of Transportation told us last week that its lowering of the speed limit there from 50 to 40 mph was not implemented to prevent accidents. Most of the crashes in this treacherous three-mile stretch near Wailua are caused by “driver error.”

The DOT dropped the speed limit, “hoping that when accidents do occur, that they will be less severe.”

But that does not mean that we have to accept these accidents as facts of life. We can take steps to not only reduce the severity of the crashes but also limit their frequency.

Let’s help each other improve the safety on our roads by driving smarter, staying alert and remaining focused on this critical task.

If you think you’re the exception, consider the financial implication: $50 fines for each offense.

Our families, friends and loved ones are depending on us to treat driving with the enormous respect it deserves. It shouldn’t be just one of many things you’re doing when you’re in the car; it should be the only thing.

Let’s disconnect ourselves from our technology and concentrate on the road.

Arrive alive, Kaua‘i.