When Texting Kills, Britain Offers Path to Prison

There are tensions that arise when law enforcement and the courts begin to crack down on a dangerous habit that has become widespread and socially acceptable. Here's a look at 2008 British government directives that regard prolonged texting as a serious aggravating factor in "death by dangerous driving" — just like drinking — and generally recommend four to seven years in prison. Is texting while driving bad judgment, or a heinous crime? And what is the appropriate punishment? Nearly all Americans say sending a text message while driving should be illegal, and about half say texting while behind the wheel should be punished at least as harshly as drunken driving, according to a recent New York Times/CBS News poll.