Safety Group Seeks Ban On Texting While Driving

nytimes.com:

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Comments

[CivilGargoyle1]

Some states have laws prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving. But why do some states not have such laws. Texting while driving has to be worse.

I sincerely hope that when you have a collision while you are texting or talking on a cell phone that you didn't injure or worse kill anyone because that might slightly inconvenience you.

[LanceThruster]

They can ban "boom cars" while they're at it. Too many g*dd*mn bass-holes on the roads these days. It's made the commute a b*tch and they're polluting the air of our neighborhoods.

[evan la]

Most municipalities already have a noise ordinance that covers the boom cars - good luck getting it enforced.

[october2009]

Since when does having the government make something "illegal" actually stop it from occurring?

All it's going to do is take more money away from people... Government should stop regulating people's personal behavior.

If they choose to text while driving and they so happen to hurt others or themselves, they'll have the medical and legal costs to deal with...

I think it's time we start allowing people to be responsible for themselves.

[marxmarv]

Can't. The auto insurance industry already has their claws in this one.

[mapleaforever]

And you see that happening, when?

So you think that allowing potentially fatal accidents to occur, simply to allow for a personal freedom, is a good thing? That's loopy.

[RonGallion]

Common Sense has left America. If you text and drive natural selection should take over. The stupid will not survive.

[keithdengenis]

Right up to the point where there are other vehicles/p­edestrians involved.

Like me.

Or, you.

Texting while driving should be treated like drunk driving.

[RonGallion]

I agree, but who does not know that drunk driving is bad? But they still do it everyday. It's sad but you really can't fix stupid. No law will change that. Perhaps we need a stupid law, if your stupid your fined, I'm sure congress already thought of that,

[evan la]

Too bad this has to be mandated.

I want to see some enforcement of existing laws.

Folks talking on their phones while driving are a road hazard.

Daily I have to take evasive action because of some ID10T chatting away and distracted.

[RonGallion]

Do you think that a mandate is to protect us? No it's all about the money.

[jco2008]

Future civilizations (if there are any) will look back on our society, and see things like talking on cellphones while driving, and say "Those were some crazy f***ers."

[mapleaforever]

Can I add voting for Bush as another example?

[october2009]

We'll have cars that drive themselves in the future... So we'll all be able to just relax and text all we want.

[Ricardo01]

It's a good thing we didn't get the flying cars. Texting and flying don't mix either.

[MNinWI]

Not long ago an SUV was ahead of me swerving L & R -slowing down then speeding up-I thought the driver was drunk so kept a distance-got to a stop light-the light changed & the SUV just sat there-then more swerving-then we got to another light & I pulled up next to her-young woman texting away. What a frickin idiot. There have been countless times when really STUPID & dangerous driving was caused by cell phones-either talking or texting & I don't appreciate being put at risk so they can have a conversation that can wait. What is taking them so long to stop this?? Bill Maher is right-we are a stupid nation...s­ome people might even say a nitwit nation. Driving the freeways & big city driving is nuts enough w/o adding this element. Damn those corporations & the politicians w/ no scruples.

[mapleaforever]

How about a ban on stup!d, while they're at it. Same thing.

[samjung23]

There's no need for a ban on texting while driving. This falls under reckless endangerment, whatever you want to call it. Being a substitute teacher, I can see how some people just have an addiction to texting. If you can hammer out a text while driving, say, when you're in a traffic jam, at a light, even a quick yes or no, that should be fine. But if you're texting your friends about the party last night on the freeway, you should get a ticket or go to jail.

No need to penalize everyone that can text responsibly. I think eating or drinking on the road can be just as dangerous.

[yakmeat]

Being a bartender, one can see how some people just have an addiction to drinking. If you can pound down a couple of shots while driving...

The problem is that everyone thinks that they can do it responsibly, but they can't. If their car is in traffic, (even stopped) they can still cause an accident if they are distracted from the task at hand, which is DRIVING. Texting responsibly means not doing it on the road.

[samjung23]

Some people just have problems that they were born with. They can't turn anything off. Not even with a gun to their head.

An alcoholic finds a way to buy alcohol even when they're broke.

A regular person just stops buying it.

That's the difference between an addict and a regular person.

[janehenry]

With that kind of reasoning I am certainly glad you are not teaching anyone in my family. Exactly how is a cop supposed to know you are texting "responsibly" or not?

[marxmarv]

If the vehicle you are driving is stopped at a sign or signal, you're probably texting responsibly. Some SUV-driving businessperson getting held up in traffic isn't worth banning texting for.

If the vehicle you are driving is moving, you're probably texting irresponsibly.

[newsjunky]

Banning texting while driving? That makes absolutely no sense at all. Yeah, right.

[Zen0469]

If most rational people support a law prohibiting texting while driving, the irresponsible Party of No will oppose it. What then? Shall we spend several years developing a bipartisan concensus so the irresponsible party does not feel neglected?

[janehenry]

Maybe we need to use reverse psychology on the party of no, then we could get something done.

[marxmarv]

They're saying no to a successful Obama presidency. The people with the hands on the purse strings have too much in play to be stupid about it.

[robbor]

why stop at texting, people can't talk on the phone and drive either but they won't touch that because the cell lobby is too strong

[AntonBursch]

Whoa. I just realized that lady in the pic is texting while a semi is coming at her from the side.

[mapleaforever]

There's got to be an after photo found on a broken camera somewhere in the wreck.

[Roman777]

This is a no-brainer, There shouldn't even be a discussion. No Texting while Driving!!!
No Cellphones while driving as well but of course if police don't enforce a law that prohibits
driving and cellphone use, what good is it having such a law?

[markproulx]

I dont see aproblem oops sh*&t (fade to black...)

[mapleaforever]

Ah, the written version of the classic prank cellphone accident call. Never gets old.


Good times. Good times.