Texting while driving. Do you?

[msmith198025]

Saw an story on this and figured I would get your thoughts.

Do you text while you drive? Or even talk without a hands free device?
Would you support tougher enforcement of laws that deal with this? If so, what should be done?

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BA0F920091211

[Derwin0]

Nope. I'll make a call, but never even attempt to text when driving.

[msmith198025]

Nope. I'll make a call, but never even attempt to text when driving.

Do you think they should carry the same fine if a national ban on both were to be passed?

[brickmanDan]

Ive never even sent the first text. I rarely make any calls while driving but i will answer them. Im not sure relly how I feel about another law being passed for "our" safety. Im not big fan of those kind of laws that are supposed to protect us from ourselves.

[HD MM]

Texting is outlawed in Ohio.

[msmith198025]

Ive never even sent the first text. I rarely make any calls while driving but i will answer them. Im not sure relly how I feel about another law being passed for "our" safety. Im not big fan of those kind of laws that are supposed to protect us from ourselves.


Im not a big fan of those as well. Seatbelt laws I dont agree with, even though I wear mine most of the time. If I do not want to however, no one else is at risk from it.

A law concerning this though might be viewed as more along the lines of a DUI type law. Its not really to protect you, its to protect other people on the road.

[DodgerKing]

Already illegal here in CA.

I never text anyway.

[Derwin0]

Do you think they should carry the same fine if a national ban on both were to be passed?
A national ban will never be passed, roads are the responsibility of the States.

As for level of fines by the State, I don't think they should, as holding the phone to your head and talking takes far less concentration as texting, which requires you to take your eyes of the road.

[NickG420]

I have no reason to text while I drive...My truck is bluetooth through my stereo. I just push a button and say a name and it dials, or answers, whichever the case may be.

[msmith198025]

A national ban will never be passed, roads are the responsibility of the States.

As for level of fines by the State, I don't think they should, as holding the phone to your head and talking takes far less concentration as texting, which requires you to take your eyes of the road.

It does take a hand off of the wheel though.

I dont know how it should be handled really, It SHOULD be common sense for people not to do it, although I will admit I have been guilty of it myself.

[HD MM]

It does take a hand off of the wheel though.

I dont know how it should be handled really, It SHOULD be common sense for people not to do it, although I will admit I have been guilty of it myself.

So does changing the radio station. What's next, will they ban radio's in cars?

I'm for personal responsibility. As you say, it should be obvious not to text while driving. Just as it's not a smart thing to read the newspaper or put on makeup while driving either.

[Bob Haller]

smoking, eating, adjusting radio, GPS devices, reading paper, putting on makeup, personal grooming.........

all are possible distractions.....

[msmith198025]

So does changing the radio station. What's next, will they ban radio's in cars?

I'm for personal responsibility. As you say, it should be obvious not to text while driving. Just as it's not a smart thing to read the newspaper or put on makeup while driving either.

Actually many cars have radio controls on the wheel these days, but I get your point. IF they decide to go down this road, there has to be a stopping point.

[fallout2600]

I text and send email while driving. I don't plan on ever stopping even if it becomes law.

[Bob Haller]

feds just rule all states must ban whatever or no federal road money.

thats how the 55 speed limit was made law many years ago...

[vurbano]

Ive tried it but find it nearly impossible so I do not do it. I do not see how anyone could pay attention to the driving and do this.

[msmith198025]

With a Blackberry it is actually fairly easy to do, but I wont say it is the safest thing in the world

[stevenl]

I do it all the time.. Had a few close calls.

[Bob Haller]

phone software could probably be designed to detect motion, over say 5 MPH texting would shut down.........

a new federal safety law.........

[HDRoberts]

I have been known to read emails and texts while stuck in traffic or at lights. Only rarely do I do it outgoing, and if that, less than 10 characters or so.

[Derwin0]

phone software could probably be designed to detect motion, over say 5 MPH texting would shut down.........

What about passengers though?

[HD MM]

Sometimes I read the paper in traffic. Some people can multi-task, some can't. I guess I'm gifted. ;)

[fallout2600]

With a Blackberry it is actually fairly easy to do, but I wont say it is the safest thing in the world

Exactly, if you have a full keypad, then it is easy and you can still be a defensive driver at the same time.

[cybok0]

It does take a hand off of the wheel though.

I dont know how it should be handled really, It SHOULD be common sense for people not to do it, although I will admit I have been guilty of it myself.

Hell you text me while you were driving.

I'll text at red lights and i use bluetooth to receive and make calls.

[HD MM]

texting's no different than shuffling through the library on your iPod. Not sure where it stops if "texting" on cell phones is banned.

[Madtown HD Junkie]

I do text occasionally when driving.

[msmith198025]

Hell you text me while you were driving.

I'll text at red lights and i use bluetooth to receive and make calls.

I DO NOT!!! I talk to you on BBM while I drive:D

[Bob Haller]

What about passengers though?

they are shut down too, till the vehicle stops. since phones now all have GPS this could be mandated pretty easily

[brickmanDan]

What would we ever do without the govt stepping in and saving us from ourselves? (sarcsasm intended)

[Bob Haller]

What would we ever do without the govt stepping in and saving us from ourselves? (sarcsasm intended)

if a member of your family dies, killed by a texter the sarchasm might end......

[brickmanDan]

if a member of your family dies, killed by a texter the sarchasm might end......

Maybe so....... just how pray tell will a law ever prevent that from happening?

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.

Benjamin Franklin

[stevenl]

Bob the govt has laws against drunk driving... But how many people die because of it a year?

[msmith198025]

they are shut down too, till the vehicle stops. since phones now all have GPS this could be mandated pretty easily


Derwin brings up a great point that your solution ignores, and your answer does not address. Passengers should not be (they pose no threat) subject to the same law.
If you think they should, please explain.

[Bob Haller]

does everyone need to be online every second of the day?

[msmith198025]

does everyone need to be online every second of the day?

Does the gov need to tell them they cant?:confused:

[HIFI]

what next? tell female scenery walking on the sidewalk that they must remain home because they are a distraction to traffic and public safety

[vurbano]

Exactly, if you have a full keypad, then it is easy and you can still be a defensive driver at the same time.

No it isnt. I have tried with a blackberry and it is not possible to devote a proper amount of attention to the road. Anyone caught doing this stupidity and reading papers should have their license taken away.

[msmith198025]

what next? tell female scenery walking on the sidewalk that they must remain home because they are a distraction to traffic and public safety

Ill move to another country!!!!!!!

[Skyhi]

No it isnt. I have tried with a blackberry and it is not possible to devote a proper amount of attention to the road. Anyone caught doing this stupidity and reading papers should have their license taken away.
Is it getting cold in hell? I agree with you.

[towerclimber]

Not a wise choice. Many accidents already occur because of a lapse in judgment as well as attention.

[HD MM]

For the record, I don't text and/or read the paper while driving. I was poking fun at the humor in it because I find it so obvious that this stuff shouldn't be done while operating a vehicle. At the same time, since it is so blatantly obvious, I don't agree with a law against it as I think there is too much of a gray area in what else can be considered a "distraction" while driving.