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

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Getting caught texting while driving should result in a 1 year suspension for the first offense. Maybe add in a $1000 fine to make sure the idiot gets the point.

i like the way u think.
:thumbsup:

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Getting caught texting while driving should result in a 1 year suspension for the first offense. Maybe add in a $1000 fine to make sure the idiot gets the point.

i like the way u think.
:thumbsup:

:Q That's scary!!

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Getting caught texting while driving should result in a 1 year suspension for the first offense. Maybe add in a $1000 fine to make sure the idiot gets the point.

i like the way u think.
:thumbsup:

:Q That's scary!!

:|
yeah, i must be getting old.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: SportSC4

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
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.

I understand that point of view but I think that, at best, it's arguable how many people will stop doing it because it was stated explicitly in a law. So many things can *potentially* save lives but if that's the only excuse, then it's a poor excuse. Even though it's an extreme example, banning sugar can potentially save lives too...

It's much easier to prove that a person was drunk at the time then proving they were texting (unless an officer sees it). To prove that a person was texting would require the department to obtain a subpoena for that person's carrier... and who's to say that they didn't set it their phone to text in 30 minutes and they happened to be driving when it was sent off?

I would like to believe that it's about potentially saving lives... but I can't. If they were concerned about potentially saving lives then they would raise the driving age to 18 or make driving tests a real test, they would propose mandatory testing on the elderly, they would ban eating in cars, they would enact laws to curtail rubbernecking on highways, and i'm sure the list can grow...

edit: even though my statement makes it seem like the gov doesn't care about saving lives, i'm sure they do want to save lives. I just think it's a poor way of going about it.

i know texting is hard to prove. taht's why i propose, caught holding phone = ticket
no ifs, ands or buts about it.

why do we have a specifically law for DUI? it has nothing to do with being easier to prove.
it's in hopes that now that people are educated that it's illegal and that there will be repercussions, hopefully it will be enough to deter people from engaging in it.
of course you'll never eliminate drinking while driving, but you've likely cut down the number that would've attempted it.

agree? disagree?

disagree.
the law for DUI has worked just oh so well...hasnt it?

This law will just become a cash cow for some municipalities in the face of safety... like certain other laws.


Dr Pizza's point about CB's is valid. They are no more distracting than a cell phone, or the radio (mine has a remote control), or the heater vent... we already have laws to protect us from unsafe driving.

Cell phones deserve no special attention.

On the contrary - the vast majority of those who used CBs in the past were professional drivers. For driving cars, they practically give out the licenses to anyone. Someone in this thread admitted that he has trouble eating & driving at the same time. Think about it - unless he's eating a steak or something which requires balancing a plate, using a knife and a fork - most foods that people would eat in a car require virtually zero thought, effort, or attention to eat. Even though he claims he can text message while driving, do you really think someone who can't handle stuffing a McD's hamburger into their mouth without losing attention to the road can actually carry on a conversation via text message? I constantly see people on the road who cannot maintain a constant speed, weave inside their lane (or onto the shoulder, or into the next lane, etc.) - we've all seen idiots who have horrible driving skills while using cell phones. But oddly, these people don't have internet access. They never respond that their the ones who can't drive. Virtually everyone who posts about it says something to the effect of "yeah, a lot of people are dangerous drivers when they're using their cell phone, but not me! No, sir. I'm a good driver while text messaging."

 

[gooseman]

Totally agree.

 

[zinfamous]

texting impairs your driving worse than drinking ( at the .08 level, or whatever...just beyond).

so yeah, nuke those phones from orbit (or those who text, at least)

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Xanis
A headset is fine, as it allows both of your hands free to operate the vehicle.

Texting while driving, however, is NOT fine in any way.

actually, conversation, especially on the phone while driving, is extremely distracting. it has nothing to do with holding the phone.

This has been known for several years now. the difference between headset and holding a phone is negligible. The real factor in what makes it dangerous is trying to concentrate on a phone conversation.

disagree, then do your own damn study, I suppose.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: skim milk
people also use the phone for not just text and calling anymore

GPS and Google latitude

well, it seems the nice GPS units are sending people off the road these days...

and when you consider how inaccurate cell-based GPS applications are...by factors of several blocks...probably won't be too long before the things are banned from vehicles entirely.

 

[Kanalua]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: Kanalua
Here on Oahu (City and County of Honolulu) we already have a complete ban on cellphone use while operating a vehicle (including in a parked turned off car with the keys in the ignition). it sucks, but I think it's safer.

No bluetooth headsets allowed?

You can use a bluetooth headset, but you can dial on your phone, must all be voice activated (or have your passenger dial)...touch your phone and you get a ticket...

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: SportSC4

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
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.

I understand that point of view but I think that, at best, it's arguable how many people will stop doing it because it was stated explicitly in a law. So many things can *potentially* save lives but if that's the only excuse, then it's a poor excuse. Even though it's an extreme example, banning sugar can potentially save lives too...

It's much easier to prove that a person was drunk at the time then proving they were texting (unless an officer sees it). To prove that a person was texting would require the department to obtain a subpoena for that person's carrier... and who's to say that they didn't set it their phone to text in 30 minutes and they happened to be driving when it was sent off?

I would like to believe that it's about potentially saving lives... but I can't. If they were concerned about potentially saving lives then they would raise the driving age to 18 or make driving tests a real test, they would propose mandatory testing on the elderly, they would ban eating in cars, they would enact laws to curtail rubbernecking on highways, and i'm sure the list can grow...

edit: even though my statement makes it seem like the gov doesn't care about saving lives, i'm sure they do want to save lives. I just think it's a poor way of going about it.

i know texting is hard to prove. taht's why i propose, caught holding phone = ticket
no ifs, ands or buts about it.

why do we have a specifically law for DUI? it has nothing to do with being easier to prove.
it's in hopes that now that people are educated that it's illegal and that there will be repercussions, hopefully it will be enough to deter people from engaging in it.
of course you'll never eliminate drinking while driving, but you've likely cut down the number that would've attempted it.

agree? disagree?

disagree.
the law for DUI has worked just oh so well...hasnt it?

This law will just become a cash cow for some municipalities in the face of safety... like certain other laws.


Dr Pizza's point about CB's is valid. They are no more distracting than a cell phone, or the radio (mine has a remote control), or the heater vent... we already have laws to protect us from unsafe driving.

Cell phones deserve no special attention.

On the contrary - the vast majority of those who used CBs in the past were professional drivers. For driving cars, they practically give out the licenses to anyone. Someone in this thread admitted that he has trouble eating & driving at the same time. Think about it - unless he's eating a steak or something which requires balancing a plate, using a knife and a fork - most foods that people would eat in a car require virtually zero thought, effort, or attention to eat. Even though he claims he can text message while driving, do you really think someone who can't handle stuffing a McD's hamburger into their mouth without losing attention to the road can actually carry on a conversation via text message? I constantly see people on the road who cannot maintain a constant speed, weave inside their lane (or onto the shoulder, or into the next lane, etc.) - we've all seen idiots who have horrible driving skills while using cell phones. But oddly, these people don't have internet access. They never respond that their the ones who can't drive. Virtually everyone who posts about it says something to the effect of "yeah, a lot of people are dangerous drivers when they're using their cell phone, but not me! No, sir. I'm a good driver while text messaging."

Try driving while eating a Burrito and putting hot sauce on it before every bite. It requires 2 hands and driving with your knees, more difficult than me texting with 1 thumb.
And I can honestly say me texting with 1 thumb distracts me about the same as having a person in the passenger seat and carrying on a conversation with them. Maybe a bit less because when I have somebody in the car I tend to look at them every once in awhile out of habit.

 

[masterxfob]

one should not be using a cell phone, putting on makeup, shaving, checking out the babe in the next car over, talking to a passenger, looking for street addresses, and whatever else i missed. some are better than others at multitasking, but the truth is, driving requires 100% of ones attention.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Seem to be missing the "Texting is bad, calling is OK" option.

 

[Apathetic]

I'm in favor of mandatory confiscation and destruction of the cell phone if your caught using it while driving.

Dave

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: skim milk
people also use the phone for not just text and calling anymore

GPS and Google latitude

well, it seems the nice GPS units are sending people off the road these days...

and when you consider how inaccurate cell-based GPS applications are...by factors of several blocks...probably won't be too long before the things are banned from vehicles entirely.

Uhh that's cuz too many cells in the US are not true GPS systems. They use cell tower triangulation. You can't use Garmin Mobile XT on WinMo or S60 until it gets a lock. It's not going to do turn by turn for you. As for Google Maps, it'll show a fat circle until it gets true GP lock. So for cells in the US you have to use Verizon's idiotic Navigator service or AT&T's Navigator service for a hefty fee. Heh. fun.

Garmin Mobile XT on my N82 is pinpoint accurate.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
Seem to be missing the "Texting is bad, calling is OK" option.

 

[peez]

I text and drive, but I'm not a woman so I'm good at it.

 

[Bibble]

I say we force drivers to use Blackberry Storms. I can barely text with mine under normal circumstances and could not possibly do so while driving.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: masterxfob
one should not be using a cell phone, putting on makeup, shaving, checking out the babe in the next car over, talking to a passenger, looking for street addresses, and whatever else i missed. some are better than others at multitasking, but the truth is, driving requires 100% of ones attention.

If I can't look for street addresses, how am I supposed to get places I've never been to before?