Study finds texting laws don't reduce crashes

[spidey07]

LOL! So the logic is the crashes increased because folks didn't stop texting while driving, only trying to hide the phone while they were texting while driving, THAT's what caused the increase.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap...84JOO1vGPcEn_VRXIsrQD9IH3SA80?docId=D9IH3SA80

A new study says laws that ban texting while driving don't reduce wrecks and might actually increase risks.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's claim research arm released its findings Tuesday in Kansas City.

The insurance industry group compiled data from California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington immediately before and after driver texting was banned.

The study found the number of crashes actually increased in three of those states after the bans were implemented.

Institute spokesman Russ Rader says the increase might be the result of drivers trying to keep phones out of view while texting.

Highway officials say enforcement of the bans is just starting.

 

[lxskllr]

Gee, who didn't see that coming?

 

[spidey07]

Gee, who didn't see that coming?

When are they going to come up with reliable voice to text messaging so if people wanted to text we could require them to use a cordless earpiece that converts the voice into a text message? Why isn't this technology available yet!!!

 

[James Bond]

Wow this is so funny to me for some reason

 

[zinfamous]

studies have long shown that the real danger is talking on the phone while driving. There is a functional difference between holding a conversation with someone in your car, vs someone on the phone while you are driving. It requires much more focus and is incredibly distracting. There is nothing about hands-free hardware that solves this problem. It changes nothing in terms of actual safety.

And this texting thing...can't see how that isn't more dangerous.


But yeah, the issue about trying to enforce these things is apt. It's laughable how so often these laws are put into place, they don't actually address the real concern, and they are completely unenforceable and will do nothing to curtail the behavior.

 

[lxskllr]

When are they going to come up with reliable voice to text messaging so if people wanted to text we could require them to use a cordless earpiece that converts the voice into a text message? Why isn't this technology available yet!!!

Or just don't fuck with electronics while you're driving. I've spent most of my driving career with nothing available that was more complicated than a CB, or tape deck. You* just don't have to text while driving. Your inane drivel really isn't that important that it can't wait. If by some chance you really ARE that special, pull the fuck over so you can share your great pearls of wisdom safely :^S


*By you, I don't mean you Spidey, I mean you driving/texting/fucktard :^D

 

[AznAnarchy99]

When are they going to come up with reliable voice to text messaging so if people wanted to text we could require them to use a cordless earpiece that converts the voice into a text message? Why isn't this technology available yet!!!

I have it on my epic but its only like 80% reliable in a quiet environment i have no idea how it would be with the noise of the road

 

[spidey07]

I have it on my epic but its only like 80% reliable in a quiet environment i have no idea how it would be with the noise of the road

Wow. I see my sarcasm wasn't blatantly obvious enough.

 

[PingSpike]

Of course they fucking didn't stop doing it, they know its dangerous and stupid...they just don't care. A tiny fine that they'll likely never receive because the police have better, easier to prove things to attend to never had a chance of changing that.

Around here they were to pussy to even apply the law to anyone but teenagers. Apparently its OK to text while driving, as long as you're old enough LOL.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That's because people are idiots and they still text while driving. I can't tell you how many fuckheads I see driving on a daily basis who are looking down at their laps...It is probably one out of every ten cars though.

 

[Kirby]

The real killer is road head. We need legislation to ban oral sex in vehicles!

 

[spidey07]

That's because people are idiots and they still text while driving. I can't tell you how many fuckheads I see driving on a daily basis who are looking down at their laps...It is probably one out of every ten cars though.

Not a day goes by I don't see somebody with 3/4 of their car veering into the emergency lane on the highway and staying there for a good long while. I'm just waiting for a car, cop or semi to be stopped in the emergency lane.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

they should skip the details and just make a blanket law - make it illegal to cause car crashes. that will cover all the causes, right?

 

[ChaoZ]

That article sucks. Read this one: http://arstechnica.com/science/news...vers-not-putting-a-dent-in-accident-rates.ars

 

[KeithTalent]

Yeah, people that were doing it are still doing it. I have a friend in Seattle, where they have anti-texting/cellphone while driving laws, and she is always still texting and talking on her phone when she drives. I had to actually tell her to stop doing it when I was in the car. :\

KT

 

[MotionMan]

When are they going to come up with reliable voice to text messaging so if people wanted to text we could require them to use a cordless earpiece that converts the voice into a text message? Why isn't this technology available yet!!!

I believe Ford Sync will do that with smart phones.

MotionMan

 

[yllus]

Ironically I saw a police officer texting while he drove past me a couple of weeks ago.

Wait, that's not actually ironic, is it?

 

[MotionMan]

Ironically I saw a police officer texting while he drove past me a couple of weeks ago.

And he probably was not wearing a seat belt or going the speed limit.

Do what I say, not what I do.

MotionMan

 

[her209]

I'm not understanding the "study".

Did they just compare the number of accidents before and after the law was enacted and enforced?

 

[TridenT]

When are they going to come up with reliable voice to text messaging so if people wanted to text we could require them to use a cordless earpiece that converts the voice into a text message? Why isn't this technology available yet!!!

It's available. Get an iPhone or a nice android phone.

 

[sdifox]

The real killer is road head. We need legislation to ban oral sex in vehicles!

wait, what???

 

[Train]

The real killer is road head. We need legislation to ban oral sex in moving vehicles!

fixed. Wouldn't want you to get overzealous and take away my stationary vehicle head. Safe guys like me who pull over shouldnt have to suffer too.

 

[soulcougher73]

That is because they are not an enforced law. No way to judge it. Best bet to reduce crashed via phones is to implement something into every car that disables cell phones while the car is in anything other then park. Except for emergency calls from 911 etc. If you want to talk or text you pull over and put car in park and do so.

 

[DrPizza]

What's the fine? $50? $100?
Legislators don't have the balls to make it a real fine. It's not worth the police's trouble to waste time writing up tickets for $50 or $100 fines. Start nailing people with a significant fine & habits will change. After you know 2 or 3 people who got $500 fines, you'll think twice about the unlikelihood of getting a ticket yourself (assuming you're one of the assholes who texts while driving.)

I use the term "asshole" because it's probably the most accurate term for someone so self-absorbed that they're willing to put everyone else on the road at an increased level of danger.

 

[Kev]

More likely the increase in accidents has nothing to do with the ban and everything to do with the increase in people texting while driving. Every year a new crop of stupid teenagers gets their license, and who is the biggest age group for texting?