Texting while driving ban...

ashleemw · February 2012

It's going to be voted on in the senate today (includes sending AND reading texts), do you support it? Why?

jenhappy · February 2012

Yep. There's a small part of me that is hesitant to permit laws about what I can do in my car. But as someone on the road who is going to end up dead when someone else can't wait until they get home to read something, I am A-ok with it.

LXLX · February 2012

Is it just texting or all cell phone use? I use google maps on my cell phone when I'm driving. Will I not be able to do that anymore? It's not really different than a GPS. And what about text to voice? My phone reads me texts and then I talk and it puts it into text for me to send. Can I still do that? I don't have it read me novels or anything, but I used it this morning to remind H to take out the recycling.

I guess that's all pretty selfish though. Even if I use it responsibly, that's probably the exception so I guess I'd rather just have it all banned. Except for talking while driving. I still want to do that or I would die of boredom on my 40 minute commute home when I usually talk to my mom.

jenhappy · February 2012

Lucille Bluth:

I guess that's all pretty selfish though. Even if I use it responsibly, that's probably the exception so I guess I'd rather just have it all banned. Except for talking while driving. I still want to do that or I would die of boredom on my 40 minute commute home when I usually talk to my mom.

That's exactly my thinking. I haven't read all of it, but I don't think it applies to talking... not sure how it's worded, but I'm not sure how they could distinguish reading a txt and looking at a gps map. There is actually occasional talk in NJ to ban GPS devices altogether on-dash. They already ban cell phone use (I always forget this and will definitely end up with a ticket before too long while visiting) and a bunch of random things like eating sandwiches. lol

nikipizzo · February 2012

I 100% support any ban against texting while driving. I've been stuck behind one too many a$$holes swerving all over the road at 10 mph below the speed limit who, come to find out, were texting while driving (tractor trailer drivers included!). It has become ridiculous. New York has banned cell phone use while driving, including talking on the phone. You just have to turn on your bluetooth or hands-free kit when you get in the car if you want to talk while driving. Everyone pitched a fit about it up there at first, but now it's really no big deal - and I'm sure the hefty fines when people have been caught have saved a lot of lives.

LXLX · February 2012

nikipizzo:
I 100% support any ban against texting while driving. I've been stuck behind one too many a$$holes swerving all over the road at 10 mph below the speed limit who, come to find out, were texting while driving (tractor trailer drivers included!). It has become ridiculous. New York has banned cell phone use while driving, including talking on the phone. You just have to turn on your bluetooth or hands-free kit when you get in the car if you want to talk while driving. Everyone pitched a fit about it up there at first, but now it's really no big deal - and I'm sure the hefty fines when people have been caught have saved a lot of lives.

There's actually already a federal law against drivers of commercial vehicles using cell phones.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2011/Secretary-LaHood-Announces-Step-towards-Safer-Highways.aspx

nikipizzo · February 2012

Lucille Bluth:

nikipizzo:
I 100% support any ban against texting while driving. I've been stuck behind one too many a$$holes swerving all over the road at 10 mph below the speed limit who, come to find out, were texting while driving (tractor trailer drivers included!). It has become ridiculous. New York has banned cell phone use while driving, including talking on the phone. You just have to turn on your bluetooth or hands-free kit when you get in the car if you want to talk while driving. Everyone pitched a fit about it up there at first, but now it's really no big deal - and I'm sure the hefty fines when people have been caught have saved a lot of lives.

There's actually already a federal law against drivers of commercial vehicles using cell phones.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2011/Secretary-LaHood-Announces-Step-towards-Safer-Highways.aspx

Hmm. Well, it's a shame that they all aren't following it.

clseale13 · February 2012

nikipizzo:
Lucille Bluth:

nikipizzo:
I 100% support any ban against texting while driving. I've been stuck behind one too many a$$holes swerving all over the road at 10 mph below the speed limit who, come to find out, were texting while driving (tractor trailer drivers included!). It has become ridiculous. New York has banned cell phone use while driving, including talking on the phone. You just have to turn on your bluetooth or hands-free kit when you get in the car if you want to talk while driving. Everyone pitched a fit about it up there at first, but now it's really no big deal - and I'm sure the hefty fines when people have been caught have saved a lot of lives.

There's actually already a federal law against drivers of commercial vehicles using cell phones.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2011/Secretary-LaHood-Announces-Step-towards-Safer-Highways.aspx

Hmm. Well, it's a shame that they all aren't following it.

This is what gets me about these laws. I agree with everyone else that says it should be banned. It's definitely a safety risk, but how in the hell are they going to enforce that? We're still allowed to talk on cell phones, correct? So if a cop pulls along side of me and I'm looking at and touching my phone, how does he know I'm not just making a call? I just don't get how this will realistically play out.

ashleemw · February 2012

I support it 100%

I'm trying to find the specifics on the bill, but nothing has come up that really outlines it that I've seen. I'll keep looking.

I think it would be hard to enforce, as well. However, I think there should be HARSH penalties for causing accidents, especially with injury or death. So if texting is illegal, these penalties would be easier to carry out... Maybe?

LXLX · February 2012

ashleemw:

I think it would be hard to enforce, as well. However, I think there should be HARSH penalties for causing accidents, especially with injury or death. So if texting is illegal, these penalties would be easier to carry out... Maybe?

Like... vehicular manslaughter?

I'm confused about this. Of course it's dangerous and causes more accidents, but I don't think anyone is getting off easy if they do cause an accident (especially a fatality) because they were texting. The issue is solving the problem of being distracted by cell phones (talking, texting, GPSing, whatever) not punishment for those who do once they cause an accident. The death penalty doesn't stop people from commiting crimes, you know?

Martiza · February 2012

I think it makes sense, but I think it will be hard to enforce. I think of this as something similar to the seat belt law. People are ticketed for this daily, but millions of people choose to not follow the law.

nikipizzo · February 2012

I don't know the specifics either, but I would think they would have to ban all cell phone usage while driving. Seems like it would be too hard to prove someone was texting - as opposed to just picking up their phone to make a call. I can tell you that when the cell phone law first came out in New York, SO many people that I know got a ticket. But not a single one of them ever got another one because most people just don't think it's worth the hefty fine. There will always be people who don't follow the law. But if the law makes it so that more people will begin to avoid texting while driving, I'm all for it.

ashleemw · February 2012

Lucille Bluth:
ashleemw:

I think it would be hard to enforce, as well. However, I think there should be HARSH penalties for causing accidents, especially with injury or death. So if texting is illegal, these penalties would be easier to carry out... Maybe?

Like... vehicular manslaughter?

I'm confused about this. Of course it's dangerous and causes more accidents, but I don't think anyone is getting off easy if they do cause an accident (especially a fatality) because they were texting. The issue is solving the problem of being distracted by cell phones (talking, texting, GPSing, whatever) not punishment for those who do once they cause an accident. The death penalty doesn't stop people from commiting crimes, you know?

Let me try to more clearly say what I'm thinking... I see why that doesn't make sense.

I know 100% right now that I should not text and drive. It's unsafe. But I still do it because I can. If it were to become illegal, I would most definitely NEVER text and drive. I would hope most moderate, law abiding citizens would take the same stance.

Also, right now if you text and cause an accident, it would be distracted driving, which isn't illegal (right?), but still your fault. If you're texting and cause an accident, and it is illegal, the consequences could (would?) be much more severe. So while I agree with your "the death penalty doesn't stop people from committing crimes" statement, I think making it illegal would at least cut down on the number of people texting and driving.

It probably doesn't help that I clearly don't know a lot about what's law, what the penalties are, etc.

LXLX · February 2012

ashleemw:
Lucille Bluth:
ashleemw:

I think it would be hard to enforce, as well. However, I think there should be HARSH penalties for causing accidents, especially with injury or death. So if texting is illegal, these penalties would be easier to carry out... Maybe?

Like... vehicular manslaughter?

I'm confused about this. Of course it's dangerous and causes more accidents, but I don't think anyone is getting off easy if they do cause an accident (especially a fatality) because they were texting. The issue is solving the problem of being distracted by cell phones (talking, texting, GPSing, whatever) not punishment for those who do once they cause an accident. The death penalty doesn't stop people from commiting crimes, you know?

Let me try to more clearly say what I'm thinking... I see why that doesn't make sense.

I know 100% right now that I should not text and drive. It's unsafe. But I still do it because I can. If it were to become illegal, I would most definitely NEVER text and drive. I would hope most moderate, law abiding citizens would take the same stance.

Also, right now if you text and cause an accident, it would be distracted driving, which isn't illegal (right?), but still your fault. If you're texting and cause an accident, and it is illegal, the consequences could (would?) be much more severe. So while I agree with your "the death penalty doesn't stop people from committing crimes" statement, I think making it illegal would at least cut down on the number of people texting and driving.

It probably doesn't help that I clearly don't know a lot about what's law, what the penalties are, etc.

Hm, that makes sense. I'm not sure if I agree with how much it will actually deter people, but I get this thinking.

jenhappy · February 2012

It will depend on their ability to enforce it, which I think will be extremely difficult without banning all cell phone use like PPs said. To Niki's point, in NJ/NY, you truly do not see handset use for any reason because it was *swiftly* enforced with big fines.

PantsOffDanceOff · February 2012

I rely on my GPS on my phone daily to complete my job. I would have a problem if there was a zero tolerance law for usage that would include this. Sure I could print out a piece of paper from Mapquest, but I'm still looking at something other than the road when I'm checking directions.

I also have talk to text and bluetooth. I feel like this acceptable usage and would hate to not be able to do that either.

KappaUCF20 · February 2012

nikipizzo:
I 100% support any ban against texting while driving. I've been stuck behind one too many a$$holes swerving all over the road at 10 mph below the speed limit who, come to find out, were texting while driving (tractor trailer drivers included!). It has become ridiculous. New York has banned cell phone use while driving, including talking on the phone. You just have to turn on your bluetooth or hands-free kit when you get in the car if you want to talk while driving. Everyone pitched a fit about it up there at first, but now it's really no big deal - and I'm sure the hefty fines when people have been caught have saved a lot of lives.

Yes 100% agree. I think texting while driving is inexcusable. If it's that important, pull over or wait until you get home. The other morning on the way to work, I got stuck behind an idiot who was texting and swerving all over the road. What the hell has happened to common sense? Since when do people actually think it's a good idea to look down or type while they're driving? I know I've said this on here before so I probably sound like a broken record, but driving is a privilege, not a right, and too many people take that for granted. I personally know someone who hit and killed two little girls because she wasn't paying attention while driving so it hits close to home and something I take very seriously. Things happen in an instant. I wouldn't want to live with that kind of guilt simply because I "had" to text someone.

Texting while driving ban...

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