This is interesting: Utah has passed a law imposing stiff penalties for typing text messages while driving.

This is more interesting: apparently that is a big deal. Because according to the article, all other states (except Alaska, sort of), have practically no penalty at all. Typing while driving is generally treated as an accidental cause of a crash, in the same league falling asleep at the wheel or (I presume) losing control of the car, because supposedly people don’t know that it’s a risky activity.

Wait, WTF?

Okay, first of all, when did being stupid become an excuse? For potentially killing people? Real accidents, like falling asleep at the wheel, are out of people’s control (well, to some extent), but typing is absolutely not. You had to consciously make the choice to pull out your phone and take your attention away from the road to push those keys. I fail to comprehend how anyone could think this would be a good idea.

And besides: how is it that we need to take our regulatory cues from Utah? Seriously, get it together, states.