We all know it's true..texting while driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do. It's driving blind, basically. Driving requires that you give your full attention..unlike this character whose photo I snapped from a MAX train next to Pioneer Courthouse Square.

People get hit and killed by cars all the time here...and it makes me really angry to see people not paying attention! That's why it doesn't bother me at all to hear Senate President Peter Courtney call for penalties for distracted driving equivalent to those for driving drunk. This is serious stuff. Senate Bill 9 would impose up to a one thousand dollar fine. Good, in my humble opinion. Now let's actually enforce it.

Additional information (thanks Oregon State Police): OSP is doing a special push on seatbelts and texting this week. Their news release contains these tidbits: "Over the past three years in Oregon, 12 people died in crashes involving an active participant who was reportedly using a cell phone at the time of the crash. Officials say this number could be even higher, because cell phone usage is believed to be underreported." And: "Police are now requesting access to the text time stamps from cell phone companies. If you crash and cause injuries, an investigation could reveal that you were texting."