are you for or against a law banning text messaging while driving?

[palswim]

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it already fits the definition of Careless Driving, and possibly Reckless Driving. We shouldn't need a law against texting when driving when it's already covered by more general laws. It's not practical to enforce it anyway. Cops can't tell that you're texting.

Word.

Cops should use their discretion to "protect and serve".

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: meltdown75
i propose GFY at your earliest convenience and i'll do whatever the hell i want when i'm driving. thx tho :thumbsup:

I propose GFY as your earliest convenience and get your distracted ass off the road.

your post makes no sense. pound salt, buttercup.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I can't recall ever seeing this point made: for years, you *never* heard about truckers getting into an accident because they were too busy talking on a CB. There are a lot of drivers perfectly capable of controlling their vehicle & paying adequate attention to the road while talking on a cell phone, or even text messaging. However, the percentage of people who can safely carry on a conversation on a cell phone is much lower than the percentage of people who *think* they can safely carry on a conversation without becoming a driving hazard (or at least, a driving nuisance - inability to maintain a constant speed on the highway, drifting all over their lane, etc.) There are people who can text message while driving, but I dare estimate the percentage of people who can do this to be in the minority, particularly in heavy traffic.

If it's 2 in the morning, and a sober driver is the only person on a divided highway for miles, I really hope an officer hiding in the bushes along that highway wouldn't pull him over after seeing the familiar glow of a cell phone - heck, a conversation may be about all that's keeping that driver awake on the last 20 miles of his trip. But, I'm all for a law to prohibit text messaging or even cell phones completely (and hope the police would, in fact, use some degree of discretion at when to enforce such laws.) To the people who say wait until after the accident, THEN see if they were using their cell phone: uhh, what about the potential innocent victims of these accidents? I want you idiots who *think* you can drive safely while text messaging to be fined right off the road, because I want to be safer when driving.

this has always been the case. there are cops that are human and have compassion, and others that are just pricks trying to fulfill a quota.

the main thing is i don't want to see innocent people get killed because some moron was too busy looking down at his phone instead of the road. that's the reason i'm backing this bill.

all of you saying that we already have laws to punish reckless driving, there are those who think that they're better than average drivers who can multitask at the wheel so therefore they aren't reckless. studies and common sense tells us this is false.
a driver that's paying attention to the road will always be safer than the same driver who is texting while driving.
and if it's not explicitly stated, they'll claim ignorance and continue their dangerous practices.

the collective masses are ignorant and require lot of guidance to determine what's safe and dangerous, what's right and wrong.
sure, they'll learn after their first accident (or first ticket), but it may come at a cost of a few lives. how can you be against a law that will save lives?

 

[cronos]

before this, i would vote for a law against speeding.



..wait..

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: meltdown75
i propose GFY at your earliest convenience and i'll do whatever the hell i want when i'm driving. thx tho :thumbsup:

I propose GFY at your earliest convenience and get your distracted ass off the road.

your post makes no sense. pound salt, buttercup.

I made a typo, whoop-de-doo. My point still stands, however.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: Xanis

Originally posted by: meltdown75
i propose GFY at your earliest convenience and i'll do whatever the hell i want when i'm driving. thx tho :thumbsup:

I propose GFY at your earliest convenience and get your distracted ass off the road.

your post makes no sense. pound salt, buttercup.

I made a typo, whoop-de-doo. My point still stands, however.

duly noted. Xanis of Anandtech wishes that I get my distracted ass off the road.

duuuuuuuuuuly noted :music:

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it already fits the definition of Careless Driving, and possibly Reckless Driving. We shouldn't need a law against texting when driving when it's already covered by more general laws. It's not practical to enforce it anyway. Cops can't tell that you're texting.

that's why instead of banning texting, they should ban any phone usage including holding a phone.

so are you against saving lives?

i wonder how you'll feel if you lost a loved one to someone who crashed head on into them because he was texting and mistakenly thought he was a safe driver that could multitask.
how it could've potentially been avoided had a law been passed that explicitly made texting while driving illegal.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: cronos
before this, i would vote for a law against speeding.



..wait..

when speeding is proven to be more dangerous than DUI, sure.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it already fits the definition of Careless Driving, and possibly Reckless Driving. We shouldn't need a law against texting when driving when it's already covered by more general laws. It's not practical to enforce it anyway. Cops can't tell that you're texting.

that's why instead of banning texting, they should ban any phone usage including holding a phone.

so are you against saving lives?

i wonder how you'll feel if you lost a loved one to someone who crashed head on into them because he was texting and mistakenly thought he was a safe driver that could multitask.
how it could've potentially been avoided had a law been passed that explicitly made texting while driving illegal.

stay classy

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it already fits the definition of Careless Driving, and possibly Reckless Driving. We shouldn't need a law against texting when driving when it's already covered by more general laws. It's not practical to enforce it anyway. Cops can't tell that you're texting.

that's why instead of banning texting, they should ban any phone usage including holding a phone.

so are you against saving lives?

i wonder how you'll feel if you lost a loved one to someone who crashed head on into them because he was texting and mistakenly thought he was a safe driver that could multitask.
how it could've potentially been avoided had a law been passed that explicitly made texting while driving illegal.

should we ban playing with the radio too? looking in the rearview mirror? driving with one hand on the wheel? reaching for a tissue because you saw someone texting and you're having a cry?

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it already fits the definition of Careless Driving, and possibly Reckless Driving. We shouldn't need a law against texting when driving when it's already covered by more general laws. It's not practical to enforce it anyway. Cops can't tell that you're texting.

that's why instead of banning texting, they should ban any phone usage including holding a phone.

so are you against saving lives?

i wonder how you'll feel if you lost a loved one to someone who crashed head on into them because he was texting and mistakenly thought he was a safe driver that could multitask.
how it could've potentially been avoided had a law been passed that explicitly made texting while driving illegal.

should we ban playing with the radio too? looking in the rearview mirror? driving with one hand on the wheel? reaching for a tissue because you saw someone texting and you're having a cry?

:laugh:

melt > j00

 

[JDub02]

texting while driving is very unsafe, but how would anyone enforce it? i have no idea how a cop could tell if you were texting while driving past at 60 mph.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it already fits the definition of Careless Driving, and possibly Reckless Driving. We shouldn't need a law against texting when driving when it's already covered by more general laws. It's not practical to enforce it anyway. Cops can't tell that you're texting.

that's why instead of banning texting, they should ban any phone usage including holding a phone.

so are you against saving lives?

i wonder how you'll feel if you lost a loved one to someone who crashed head on into them because he was texting and mistakenly thought he was a safe driver that could multitask.
how it could've potentially been avoided had a law been passed that explicitly made texting while driving illegal.

should we ban playing with the radio too? looking in the rearview mirror? driving with one hand on the wheel? reaching for a tissue because you saw someone texting and you're having a cry?

if it takes me more than a minute to operate the radio, or if it's been proven that i do not have proper control of the car while doing so, posing as a hazard greater than an intoxicated driver to others, then yes.

 

[SportSC4]

I'm against a law banning text messaging for driving for a different reason. It should be a law against distractions while driving.
What's next? New law that bans fiddling with your stereo while driving. New law that bans talking with passengers while driving. New law that bans eating a non-beef sandwich on ciabatta?

It's a law that is meant to be piled on to additional charges. ie. you get caught speeding, so you get a ticket for careless driving, going 6 over, driving a defective vehicle (tint, or other mild infraction), and now a ticket for texting.

Don't worry, they'll throw out a few of those charges if you decide not to fight it at court...

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: mugs
I think it already fits the definition of Careless Driving, and possibly Reckless Driving. We shouldn't need a law against texting when driving when it's already covered by more general laws. It's not practical to enforce it anyway. Cops can't tell that you're texting.

that's why instead of banning texting, they should ban any phone usage including holding a phone.

so are you against saving lives?

i wonder how you'll feel if you lost a loved one to someone who crashed head on into them because he was texting and mistakenly thought he was a safe driver that could multitask.
how it could've potentially been avoided had a law been passed that explicitly made texting while driving illegal.

should we ban playing with the radio too? looking in the rearview mirror? driving with one hand on the wheel? reaching for a tissue because you saw someone texting and you're having a cry?

and hey, since we already have laws against careless and reckless driving, how about we eliminate the law against DUI too... since that also "fits the description", right?

 

[QueBert]

I use to text while I drive, I don't do it any more. I can honestly say for me any ways. That me eating while driving was more involved than texting. I could text without looking at my phone at all, I'm sure there was still some level of distraction in my mind, but I wasn't having to take my eyes off the road ever. Eating seemed to lead to me not paying as much attention. They should ban doing anything while driving that's not driving. I know people who constantly mess with their radio and it's easily as distracting as texting. And if the studies were accurate, a Bluetooth headset didn't increase a persons ability to drive responsibility while talking. Texting isn't talking I know, but they should ban BT headsets also.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: SportSC4
I'm against a law banning text messaging for driving for a different reason. It should be a law against distractions while driving.
What's next? New law that bans fiddling with your stereo while driving. New law that bans talking with passengers while driving. New law that bans eating a non-beef sandwich on ciabatta?

It's a law that is meant to be piled on to additional charges. ie. you get caught speeding, so you get a ticket for careless driving, going 6 over, driving a defective vehicle (tint, or other mild infraction), and now a ticket for texting.

Don't worry, they'll throw out a few of those charges if you decide not to fight it at court...

because if it's not explicitly stated, people will continue to do it because they think they are safe drivers.
same reason they made a law specifically against DUI.

they are doing something that could potentially save lives. not to generate revenue through fines (although that may be an indirect result), not to piss us off with more restrictions.

 

[nerp]

meltdown75 is 23 times more likely to cause an accident.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee
I'm against the morons that do this, but I don't think we should be making laws about everything that pisses me off. The very idea is crazy to me. Just put the phone down. Relinquish human contact for as long as it takes to get from A to B, and we don't have a problem. Why must people act like they're addicted to the damn widget? I forget I even HAVE a phone sometimes...

But no, I don't think it's a big enough problem for a law.

because without laws, people won't cooperate.

it'll become a big enough problem when you or your family gets hit by someone who was texting.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: SportSC4
I'm against a law banning text messaging for driving for a different reason. It should be a law against distractions while driving.
What's next? New law that bans fiddling with your stereo while driving. New law that bans talking with passengers while driving. New law that bans eating a non-beef sandwich on ciabatta?

It's a law that is meant to be piled on to additional charges. ie. you get caught speeding, so you get a ticket for careless driving, going 6 over, driving a defective vehicle (tint, or other mild infraction), and now a ticket for texting.

Don't worry, they'll throw out a few of those charges if you decide not to fight it at court...

because if it's not explicitly stated, people will continue to do it because they think they are safe drivers.
same reason they made a law specifically against DUI.

they are doing something that could potentially save lives. not to generate revenue through fines (although that may be an indirect result), not to piss us off with more restrictions.

Reckless and unsafe driving is already a crime (as it should be). It also covers every imaginable form of unsafe driving, including texting while driving. The only thing these laws add to the mix is another reason for police officers to hassle people before an actual crime is committed and to increase revenue for state and local governments.

 

[imported_Imp]

For if caught in the act. I don't think it's so much as taking your eyes off the road, as it is more the concentration required to text. Maybe I suck at texting, but if I do it on the street while walking, I completely zone out. If you mess with a stereo, all you're doing is mashing the track button or your favourites; I've lost track of things while doing this, so it's not exactly safe. Talking to passengers or on the phone are essentially the same to me. Both take away attention, but nowhere near as much as texting.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: daniel1113

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: SportSC4
I'm against a law banning text messaging for driving for a different reason. It should be a law against distractions while driving.
What's next? New law that bans fiddling with your stereo while driving. New law that bans talking with passengers while driving. New law that bans eating a non-beef sandwich on ciabatta?

It's a law that is meant to be piled on to additional charges. ie. you get caught speeding, so you get a ticket for careless driving, going 6 over, driving a defective vehicle (tint, or other mild infraction), and now a ticket for texting.

Don't worry, they'll throw out a few of those charges if you decide not to fight it at court...

because if it's not explicitly stated, people will continue to do it because they think they are safe drivers.
same reason they made a law specifically against DUI.

they are doing something that could potentially save lives. not to generate revenue through fines (although that may be an indirect result), not to piss us off with more restrictions.

Reckless and unsafe driving is already a crime (as it should be). It also covers every imaginable form of unsafe driving, including texting while driving. The only thing these laws add to the mix is another reason for police officers to hassle people before an actual crime is committed and to increase revenue for state and local governments.

Thanks, that's exactly what I came in here to post. Lets just enforce the laws that we already have to cover these things - they work just fine. Adding these specific laws is just absurd.

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: SportSC4
I'm against a law banning text messaging for driving for a different reason. It should be a law against distractions while driving.
What's next? New law that bans fiddling with your stereo while driving. New law that bans talking with passengers while driving. New law that bans eating a non-beef sandwich on ciabatta?

It's a law that is meant to be piled on to additional charges. ie. you get caught speeding, so you get a ticket for careless driving, going 6 over, driving a defective vehicle (tint, or other mild infraction), and now a ticket for texting.

Don't worry, they'll throw out a few of those charges if you decide not to fight it at court...

You can be pulled over for those things if they become too much of a distraction for you. If you're swerving all over the road cause you're chomping on a double whooper you'll definitely get pulled over. You won't get cited for eating while driving but probably for careless or reckless driving. Texting is something that should fall into this category as well but I think since it's become so common that a seperate law is needed to remind everyone that it's dangerous and you should not be doing it.

 

[Colt45]

If a person thinks it is ok to text and drive, they shouldn't have had a licence issued in the first place.
Revoke that shit, they can text on the bus.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
You can be pulled over for those things if they become too much of a distraction for you.

Emphasis mine.