According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, more than 3,331 people were killed and 387,000 injured in motor vehicle accidents connected to distracted driving.

Those numbers represent 10 percent of all fatal crashes and 17 percent of all accidents that caused injuries. Yet the Maine House rejected the hands-free-only cell phone bill that would help eliminate those types of casualties.

Many reasons were offered for the bill’s rejection, including the bill’s steep penalties — a $250 fine for a first offense and a $500 fine and 30-day license suspension for the second offense.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a survey that showed more than 90 percent of drivers recognized the danger from cell phone distractions. However, 35 percent of those same people admitted to having read or sent a text message or email while driving in the previous month.

In 2014, distracted driving caused more than 2,000 collisions and 12 fatalities in Maine — 12 deaths that might have been avoided had the law passed.

Steep penalties are used to deter intoxicated driving. As a result, fatal accidents due to drunk driving have decreased. Multiple studies have proven similarity between intoxicated and distracted driving.

A steeper penalty for driving with a cell phone in hand can help save lives. As a young driver myself, and one who at times drives with a cell phone in hand, a law like this would deter many young drivers from using their phones while driving, thus creating a safer environment for fellow drivers and ourselves.

Kayla Quesnel, Turner