Make texting while driving illegal

[Jess]

Today we had an assembly about texting while driving and the horrible effects. We watched a video and it was really sad. One of the stories was this teen - he was texting and he hit a bicyclist and the bicyclist died.

I can't drive, and I don't own a phone, let alone know how to text, but a lot of other teens do and many text while driving. Dangerous. They could hit someone or get themselves killed.

I really think this should be illegal - texting while driving. what do you think? Should it also go to talking on the phone while driving?

[Perseus]

It's illegal in most states. I know for a fact it is here in Georgia. And what do you mean you don't know how to text? It's not some form of art.

[Azunite]

Well isn't it already illegal to talk on the phone while driving? Why texting shouldn't?

[Kaius]

Well isn't it already illegal to talk on the phone while driving? Why texting shouldn't?

Yeah, i agree. Anything that means taking your eyes off the road for an extended amount of time shouldn't be allowed.

[Quick_Sylver]

Its illegal for drivers to have a phone in their lap while driving. Headsets are allowed, barely here.

However, its only recently begun being enforced.

[anonymous53]

It's not illegal where I live yet, but I know people who have lost their lives just because of it. Also have cost other innocent people their lives for something that couldn't wait five minutes.

[Sith Lord 13]

I think it should only be punishable if you actually cause an accident. Texting at a red light shouldn't be a punishable offense.

[scuba steve]

It's illegal in the UK.

[Bluesman]

Like Sith Lord said... it shouldn't be an offence if you're texting at red lights or in traffic, but texting while you're actually driving (moving) should be illegal and punishable. As much as I hate to admit if, I am quite the expert at texting. I can text without looking, etc. I have no doubt that I could text while I'm driving (even though I can't drive yet...), however if you're doing two things at once you cannot fully focus on either. Driving is something that requires 100% of your focus, so texting while driving should be illegal.

[Amnesiac]

The potential for one to crash into another driver or a piece of property is too great to allow people to text while driving.

[FullyAlive]

It's illegal here in the UK as was said before, and I think it should be everywhere, texting while driving is irresponsible and gambling with human life. And not even your own.

[Suicune]

It's illegal here as of January 1st.
It most certainly should be illegal everywhere because it's just too much of a risk.

[Sogeking]

It already is illegal in some areas.

[JonTyler]

Yup it's illegal where I am.. but you cans till talk on the phone while driving.. I believe there should be a law here like other states stating you need to wear a headset, etc.

[Jenna.]

I agree completely. Its actually illegal to text and drive in Maryland, thank God. People still do it, obviously. But if a cop catches you (which I've actually seen happen quite a bit around where I live) you get a ticket. I think its a good thing. Texting while driving is so dangerous, I honestly don't understand why someone would want to risk taking their eyes off the road for something like that. I was in a nasty car accident with my friend a few weeks ago, all because some guy wasn't paying attention and came into our lane. Ever since then, I've become so much more alert when I drive. Even though it wasn't my fault, it was kind of a "wake up call" if you will, to watch out for people who are too busy with other, trivial things to pay attention to the few thousand pound automobile they're controlling. Yeahhh I forgot...a text that you could easily read at the next STOP SIGN or RED LIGHT is way more important than watching the road.

[User Deleted]

yeah, but talking on bluetooth should be allowed

[Continuum]

It's already punishable by law. It's the drivers themselves who try to act like douchebags.

Okay. Who the hell clicked no?

[Memory]

Okay. Who the hell clicked no?

Heh, sorry bout that. Thought the question was "Make texting while driving legal?"

[UnknownError]

It's already illegal here. Sometime I think it's to tightly enforced. My dad got a fine for looking at the time on his phone at a red light. -_-

[skinny_white_boy]

I think it should be illegal. Its one of the leading causes for car accidents and deaths in a motor vehicle. I can drive, and im amazing at texting but i think it would be impossible to do both at once. i havent even tried and i probably never will. I save my texts for when im at red lights.

We had this assembly two weeks ago. i think the state is making alot of schools here in PA do it

[Jess]

people actually said no? I know one was a mistake. who are the other two? o_O

[Continuum]

people actually said no? I know one was a mistake. who are the other two? o_O

Actually, no. He's a troll.

[thingmebob]

Well in the UK its been illegal for a while now, and I think its a really good thing. Same goes for talking and using a phone in general.

[Zazu]

It's currently a statutory offence here in the UK (not law).

If I'm completely honest, I do text quite rarely when driving and it tends to be a case of replying with one / two letter replies. I see typing one letter at a time then looking back up as being no worse than looking at the radio to change it / glancing at a sat nav to check directions e.t.c.

[Fiction]

You can't physically concentrate on texting and driving at the same time, but I think it's a little different with being on the phone to someone. If you have the person on loud speaker or a hands free set it's no different to talking to someone in the car with you.

[Memory]

Actually, no. He's a troll.

The ONE time I don't attempt to troll :/

[Death]

The ONE time I don't attempt to troll :/

That's so rich coming from someone whose username is "Troll".

[Korashk]

Disclaimer: 100% Serious

No, texting while driving should not be in and of itself illegal. Neither should drunk driving or other offenses similar to those. These "crimes" only serve to punish those who haven't done anything to anyone, plus there are other activities that make driving even more dangerous than these two activities and are perfectly legal, such as driving while tired.

What should be done instead is making "driving while impaired" a supplementary factor when investigating automobile accidents to determine the severity of the crime.

[Memory]

That's so rich coming from someone whose username is "Troll".

I give up.

inb4 SomeRandomVterRagesAtMe

[Death]

I give up.

inb4 SomeRandomVterRagesAtMe

Is this a time-related coincidence, or did you actually just change your username because of me?

[Memory]

Is this a time-related coincidence, or did you actually change your username because of me?

Coincidence, thought about doing it last night after some thinking. Since I was officially identified as a troll, all my troll attempts are officially unsuccessful. Thus, I gave up trollin. Miss it already tbh.

[Death]

Coincidence, thought about doing it last night after some thinking. Since I was officially identified as a troll, all my troll attempts are officially unsuccessful. Thus, I gave up trollin. Miss it already tbh.

Officially identified?

BTW, since I haven't actually given my opinion yet, I'm going to say right now that any law which saves the lives of innocent people with clearly insignificant consequences should be passed. Therefore, I think texting whilst driving should be prohibited everywhere since it diverts your attention from the road.

[Kahn]

I honesty don't see a point to it. The amount of accidents caused by texting while driving isn't so high that we need to bother addressing it right now. Maybe in the future, but currently I believe most people have the common sense to pay attention to what they're doing while on the road. I understand where you're coming from, but a bicyclist and his unfortunate luck does not speak for the entire population. When I look down the road I don't see cars flipping over because of this.

You should be punished if you cause an accident because of it, but were you driving down a desolate road texting I don't see a problem with it. If the latter driver got pulled over, what would he be doing wrong? There is no one he can harm but himself.

[Sith Lord 13]

Redefining my previous answer, it should be a secondary offense. They shouldn't be able to pull you over for it, but if you're pulled over for something else, they should be able to ticket you for it as well.

[Limelight788]

Sadly in Texas, texting while driving is still legal, although banned in school. This takes away concentration from the road and knowing that I actually care about safety of me and the drivers, it's no surprise that I believe it should be constitutionally banned.

[Fushigi]

i guess in my country its not yet illegal...?? well even if its illegal to text while driving i am sure that most of my fellow countrymen will still text while driving.. :)

[-Silence]

I voted no. I text and drive on my way home from work most nights. Now granted, the roads are empty when I'm coming home. If you cause a wreck because of texting then yes, you should get a deeper fine.

If texting becomes illegal here so should all the touchscreen GPS bullshit.

[TopGear]

Like Sith Lord said... it shouldn't be an offence if you're texting at red lights or in traffic, but texting while you're actually driving (moving) should be illegal and punishable. As much as I hate to admit if, I am quite the expert at texting. I can text without looking, etc. I have no doubt that I could text while I'm driving (even though I can't drive yet...), however if you're doing two things at once you cannot fully focus on either. Driving is something that requires 100% of your focus, so texting while driving should be illegal.

Sorry, I don't care how good you are a texting, It's a whole new game while driving. Multi-tasking like that is extremely dangerous for not only you but the Kid ridding his bike, the man walking his dog, the old lady checking her mail or that guy driving in the opposite lane not thinking that there will be a two ton bullet coming his way with a driver not even realizing that he has drifted into on coming traffic. It's not worth it, It really isn't.

I honesty don't see a point to it. The amount of accidents caused by texting while driving isn't so high that we need to bother addressing it right now. Maybe in the future, but currently I believe most people have the common sense to pay attention to what they're doing while on the road. I understand where you're coming from, but a bicyclist and his unfortunate luck does not speak for the entire population. When I look down the road I don't see cars flipping over because of this.

You should be punished if you cause an accident because of it, but were you driving down a desolate road texting I don't see a problem with it. If the latter driver got pulled over, what would he be doing wrong? There is no one he can harm but himself.

Really, you don't see a point? Where are you seeing the information saying that the amount of accidents caused by texting while driving isn't so high? Is that number just because you haven't see or heard of an accident because of texting? Check these numbers out...

-In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in the U.S. because of accidents that involved distracted driving. Another 448,000 were injured.

-Of the 5,474 killed because of distracted driving, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a factor. However, the number of fatalities caused by cell phone use could be much higher. For those who were injured, 24,000 involved reports of cell phone use as a distraction.

-The under-20 age group had the highest percentage of distracted drivers; 16% of drivers under 20 years old involved in fatal crashes were distracted while driving.

-The 30- to 39-year-old age group had the highest percentage of cell phone use in fatal crashes.
More people are driving while distracted when they are involved in fatal crashes. The percentage of fatalities associated with distracted drivers increased from 10% in 2005 to 16% in 2009.

-In 2009, 867 fatal crashes were reported to have involved cell phones as a means for driver distraction (18% of all fatal distracted-driving crashes).
People driving light trucks and motorcyclists had the highest percentage of total drivers reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes (12% each).

-A teen driver riding with one other passenger doubles the risk of being involved in a fatal car crash. With two or more passengers, the risk increases to five times as likely.

-Research reveals that 46% of drivers under 18 admit to texting while driving. Driver distraction is a factor in 25- to 50% of all car accidents, with 61% of teen drivers admitting to risky driving habits.

but were you driving down a desolate road texting I don't see a problem with it.

Just because you are driving down a empty road doesn't justify the reason to text, You just don't know what will be there in front of your car.

&

There is no one he can harm but himself

That is extremely False, he isn't just hurting or killing himself, but he's also devastating his entire family, friends and school. Think about it, you are driving and texting and you lose control of your car and end up dead, you don't think your parents and family and close friends wouldn't just be completely devastated to the fact that they just lost there son/ close friend, just over a stupid text message that could of been avoided?

People need to stop thinking about themselves and start thinking about who they care about before sending that text.

DebhWD6ljZs

please watch the video and please spread the word.

~Dr. Drew

[Sith Lord 13]

Check these numbers out...

Woah. Statistic overload. Time to look at what they actually mean.

-In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in the U.S. because of accidents that involved distracted driving. Another 448,000 were injured.

Pointless statistic. Stay to the topic of texting while driving, not just whatever big number you can throw around.

-Of the 5,474 killed because of distracted driving, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a factor. However, the number of fatalities caused by cell phone use could be much higher. For those who were injured, 24,000 involved reports of cell phone use as a distraction.

And how many of those were texting? See previous response.

-The under-20 age group had the highest percentage of distracted drivers; 16% of drivers under 20 years old involved in fatal crashes were distracted while driving.

See previous response.

-The 30- to 39-year-old age group had the highest percentage of cell phone use in fatal crashes.
More people are driving while distracted when they are involved in fatal crashes. The percentage of fatalities associated with distracted drivers increased from 10% in 2005 to 16% in 2009.

Are we ever going to get a texting related statistic?

-In 2009, 867 fatal crashes were reported to have involved cell phones as a means for driver distraction (18% of all fatal distracted-driving crashes).

Still not texting based.

People driving light trucks and motorcyclists had the highest percentage of total drivers reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes (12% each).

Still no sign of texting in your statistics.

-A teen driver riding with one other passenger doubles the risk of being involved in a fatal car crash. With two or more passengers, the risk increases to five times as likely.

Thank you. According to your statistics, you've just shown that driving with a passenger is more dangerous than texting while driving. So long as passenger remain legal, so should texting.

-Research reveals that 46% of drivers under 18 admit to texting while driving. Driver distraction is a factor in 25- to 50% of all car accidents, with 61% of teen drivers admitting to risky driving habits.

Still nothing specific to texting.


In the future, make sure your statistics are appropriate. Only one statistic was useful here, and that was showing that passengers are more dangerous than texting.

[Jess]

@DocDrew. that was the video I watched. :O

@-Silence - about the GPS...good point, but shouldn't you usually set things up on the GPS before you start to drive? but yeah you have a point ...

[Continuum]

i guess in my country its not yet illegal...?? well even if its illegal to text while driving i am sure that most of my fellow countrymen will still text while driving.. :)

It is. (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/26/10/ban-sought-texting-while-driving) :P

I'm sure nobody, I mean nobody, in the right mind would text and drive here, especially with these (http://blog.twoagespilgrims.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/manilatraffic.jpg) kinds of roads.

[suza23]

Well It is illegal here in NY but I think it should be legal.

First of all you can get a ticket for texting while stopped at a red light or a stop sign.

And secondly if you can text and drive well that it won't be a problem because personally It is more dangerous now that it is illegal because you have to hide your phone.

I feel that if it was legal I could put my phone on the steering wheel and text at the same time instead of looking down like I have to do know because of this stupid law

[CaptainObvious]

i personally dislike the rule, but totally understand it. people are shitty enough drivers already without distractions.

however, my view is predicated on my only ever texting by touch (without looking at the phone) while driving. that's no more distracting to me than talking - but i have a phone with a normal keyboard. how all the people with iphones/other touchscreen phones want to try to argue it's fine to text on those while driving is beyond me.

[slappy]

California is the harshest. We started the trend of no texting and driving.

[suza23]

California is the harshest. We started the trend of no texting and driving.

That would be incorrect Washington was the first state to "start the trend" by banning it in 2008

[FainAgain]

We did an exercise yesterday at school!

The state troopers brought golf carts and set up cones. Each student had to try to text while navigating the cones.

I failed :)

But its funny that I should see this today. Also, earlier this year, two students were killed in a car wreck from my school. They were driving recklessly.

The whole point is that its really, really hard. Especially for new drivers.

MAKE IT ILLEGAL!!!!!!

[Lawliet]

I think it should be illegal. The texting at a stop light does somewhat solve the issue but could lead to other problems. So to avoid all of that, I think it should just be deemed illegal.

[Infidelitas]

It is in most states of Australia to use any portable device including ipods and GPS that doesnt use hands free. You get fined bout $400 for it

[slappy]

That would be incorrect Washington was the first state to "start the trend" by banning it in 2008

Yea, I know, I ment to say we are more anel about it here

[Sebastian Michaelis]

Well, here they changed DUI (Driving Under the Influence [of alcohol]) to DWI (Driving While Impaired). So now they can get you for anything from changing your radio station, eating, drinking, texting, not looking at the road, talking on a phone, putting on a seatbelt, having recently taken pills that can impair you, and MANY more.

Although, the only thing you'll really get pulled over for is using a phone, but if you get a bitchy or a bored cop then you might get pulled over for something else.
Personally, I think that is a little extensive, but overall I think it will really deter some from doing something they shouldn't that might cause an accident.
Which I like, because I value my life.

[Zephyr]

Yes, texting while driving needs to be illegal. If you have hands free calling set up in your car, I'm fine with that. But if you're handling your phone while you're driving, it flat out makes me scared. I've been so close to being in many accidents because people weren't looking at the road, but at their phones. Just the other day, this lady came halfway into my lane, causing me to swerve, because apparently playing with her phone was more important than keeping her hands on the wheel and her eyes on the road.

It's simple, if you're going to be using your phone, pull over on the side of the road or wait until you reach your destination. The safety of others greatly outweighs you and your phone, nothing is so important that you can't wait or pull over. It doesn't matter what people think that they're capable of with their phones while driving, the truth is that it puts everybody on that road around you in danger because it impairs you. You don't have the proper use of your hands, and for the most part you arn't looking at the road when you're using it.

[fanox]

It's illegal for anyone to text or use data in the state of Georgia. Under 18 can't use phones at all. 18 and up can only call people.

[suza23]

It's illegal for anyone to text or use data in the state of Georgia. Under 18 can't use phones at all. 18 and up can only call people.

You make it seem like kids can't text in Georgia, Only while driving they can't under 18 but over 18 you can text and drive.

Well, here they changed DUI (Driving Under the Influence [of alcohol]) to DWI (Driving While Impaired). So now they can get you for anything from changing your radio station, eating, drinking, texting, not looking at the road, talking on a phone, putting on a seatbelt, having recently taken pills that can impair you, and MANY more.

That is wrong DUI is Driving Under the Influence and a DWI is Driving While Intoxicated not Impaired. You can't get a DWI for driving with a cellphone you can get a DWI for being over the legal limit of alcohol or under the effects of drugs. a DUI is if you are driving while under or at the legal limit but you are incapable of Driving

[goplayer]

Yes, Then they can hold the phone where they can look at the rode, and phone. 13 but samrter than most my age, teachers, older teens, ext. :) Not rockit science, even a 9-year old can figure it out, with thinking a little, but a inportant topic, no less. Lift anti-text laws > less death in a car.

[suza23]

Yes, Then they can hold the phone where they can look at the rode, and phone. 13 but samrter than most my age, teachers, older teens, ext. :) Not rockit science, even a 9-year old can figure it out, with thinking a little, but a inportant topic, no less. Lift anti-text laws > less death in a car.

You just said you were smarter then most your age and older yet your comment made no sense and half of it was spelt wrong

[Drew7]

let people text!
make it illegal to get into an accident while texting. THATS the problem.

[Limelight788]

let people text!
make it illegal to get into an accident while texting. THATS the problem.
You've added nothing in support of having texting legal while driving. And people don't just "get into accidents", something has to be done wrong for one to occur. In most cases, the people in the accident has something to do with it. Furthermore, you're making it as texting while driving into an accident is intentional, which is not.

[Drew7]

You've added nothing in support of having texting legal while driving. And people don't just "get into accidents", something has to be done wrong for one to occur. In most cases, the people in the accident has something to do with it. Furthermore, you're making it as texting while driving into an accident is intentional, which is not.

Okay... driving isn't that hard. If ya drive an automatic, ya gotta point the car where you want it to go, ya gotta pedal to make it go and another to make it stop. It's just not that hard to begin with.

Let's say you're in traffic, stop and go for miles. All kinds of time to text. Let's say your at a red light, ya got time to read or write one. again, it's not hard.

Let's say you're on the highway going 65 - not a good time to text. Outlawing all texting and driving is overkill.

If ya don't have the skills, ya shouldn't do it. heck my dad doesn't type well on laptop, so for him, he would cause an accident eventually in heavy traffic. People with skills, it's not a problem. That's why I think they should charge people when there is an accident for whatever reason. I see old people all the time with both hands on the wheel, not leaning back at all, concentrating like they are taking a math test and they still blow right through stop sign. Clearly they shouldn't be driving at all, when they cause an accident, charge them with a crime. If someone is texting and causes an accident, charge them with a crime. no new law is needed. We can also get rid of seat belt laws, motorcycle helmet laws, baby seat laws etc. let people do what they want to do. If they cause harm, charege them with a crime.

[Crocbait230]

Now i dont text and drive EVER i dont support making it illegal thats just a waste of a cops time.
yes texting and driving is very dangerous. maybe they should make it illegal to ward off people who still do it
everyday i see people going off the road because they are texting
but that doesnt mean that it should be illegal
because that wont stop people from texting
it will just be another note on their death certificate Cause of Death:Texting at the Wheel.

[Dimitri]

I have seen too many people hurt because of others doing this or people dead as a result of this, it needs to be outlawed!!