Texting while driving

[Shannie-Poo]

Seeing this on the Dr. Phil show has me thinking, almost all of us are guilty of doing this, me included. Do you think this should be made illegal? Is there really a way to enforce that people dont "text and drive"

There was this young man on there (17 I think) who was texting and looked down for a second and hit a man on a bicycle and killed him. His guilt was heartwrenching, it really made a lightbulb go off in my head and I can honestly say I wont be texting while driving.

Is this just as dangerous as say drinking and driving?

[Sarlu]

It is illegal here. I thought it was everywhere. Here, it is illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving and if caught is an on the spot fine of I think $500 dollars. You may use a hands free kit, but I think those are about to be made illegal too as you are not allowed to use earphones for ipods etc. hmm. If your phone rings and you dont have a headset you must pull over, take the call and when done, continue driving. If you need to text...same thing, pull over then continue on.

I think its just as dangerous. Then again, i think driving a car itself can be dangerous and doing stuff like that just adds to the level of just how dangerous. we all make choices and when stuff like this happens, we just have to live with it and that on its own should be enough to sway us off taking that risk.

[abcNKH]

They are trying to pass a law on texting here. I used to think that it was overkill, that it would be covered under other reckless driving laws. However, I found out that without a specific law, they cannot stop you or charge you. I believe it is extremely dangerous and laws are warranted.

And although I do believe that hands-free devices should be required, I do not believe ther should be laws against talking on your cell phone. I just don't see any difference between talking on your cell phone and talking to your passengers. In fact, talking to your passengers might be worse, since there might be a tendency to look over at them during a conversation.

[kingclick]

Then outlaw car stereos.

[Pops In]

I can't think of much that is more stupid. But are more laws necessary? Are there not laws that say a driver must be in control of the vehicle and drive as safely as possible? Therefore if you are caught using a hand held telephone whilst driving is that not a punishable offence?

[eva]

I think that safe driving laws cover this...that being said....wtf? I don't even dial my phone while driving, let alone text!

[Clio]

It's illegal in Ireland and you end up with 3 points in your license if you're caught....and rightly so!

I hate mobile phones. I know they're an almost essential part of life now but they're a pain in the arse in so many situations.

[Pops In]

There are mobile phone specific laws here too, I believe, but I could never understand why.

[holychicken]

I just don't see any difference between talking on your cell phone and talking to your passengers. In fact, talking to your passengers might be worse, since there might be a tendency to look over at them during a conversation.
A big part of communicating with someone else is through body language. Both expressing yourself and understanding the other person relies heavily on body language. The fact that the person you are communicating with is not there and you almost completely lack all other ways of transferring information other than through speech makes a BIG difference.

Do you not find that talking to someone on the phone is very different than talking to them in RL?

Everyday when I drive home from work almost without fail I am behind someone swerving in and out of their lane or making some other mindlessly bad driving mistake and, almost every time I pass them, they are on their cell phone. I pass countless people with passengers who aren't swerving like someone on their cell phone.

I see major difference, both through experience and observation.

That being said, I think it is INSANE to text while driving. I am very good at texting and there is no way that I would even remotely consider ever texting while driving. I admit that I am guilty of making a phone call or two while on the highway but I do think that this is a bad idea and is rightfully or should be illegal. At least with talking on the phone you can have your eyes on the road the vast majority of the time. . .with texting 99% of people have to look back at the screen to see what they are doing. Too bad currently laws do not cover it, but if they don't, laws should exist to cover it.

[Pops In]

If laws already exist that cover dangerous driving, whats the difference if the same danger comes from using a mobile phone whilst driving?

[holychicken]

If laws already exist that cover dangerous driving, whats the difference if the same danger comes from using a mobile phone?
I agree that enumerating what constitutes dangerous driving leads to needing to enumerate everything. The problem is that we are already there and now we do, in fact, need to enumerate these things.

[Pops In]

Driving without due care and attention - that covers it.

[holychicken]

Driving without due care and attention - that covers it.
Like it or not, agree with it or not, it does not matter. The way our laws are currently interpreted, it must be enumerated.

[Shannie-Poo]

Its no longer me Im worried about texting and driving, its everyone else thats doing it on the road when Im out driving.

I texted and drove ALL the time. While I had no close calls, I can honestly say it was not safe whatsoever.

[Pops In]

Like it or not, agree with it or not, it does not matter. The way our laws are currently interpreted, it must be enumerated.Does that mean people are too stupid to realise that texting whilst driving is dangerous and unlawful? Well I suppose they must be.

[Book Wizard]

Texting while driving is just plain stupid. A driver should keep his/her eyes on the road.

[holychicken]

Does that mean people are too stupid to realise that texting whilst driving is dangerous and unlawful? Well I suppose they must be.
Either that or lawyers are manipulative enough to convince the courts that people are too stupid to know this.

[GinnyPotter]

I don't text or make calls when I'm driving. I feel harried and scattered enough most of the time without adding this to the mix. It isn't remotely safe. If the current laws don't cover it, I'm all for one that specifically addresses texting.

I must confess that I do answer the phone if I get a call while driving. I lost my hands-free thingie and need to find it or get another.

[Pops In]

Either that or lawyers are manipulative enough to convince the courts that people are too stupid to know this.In that case, the courts are as dense.

[Terrell]

Texting while driving is just plain stupid. A driver should keep his/her eyes on the road.

:agree:
^This. Same applies to trying to dial out while driving. If doing something takes you eyes off the road while you're trying to drive, it's something that endangers both yourself, and anyone else on, or very near, the road.

KC has a good point about stereos, at least for some people. I know that there are some songs I probably shouldn't listen to while driving.

[abcNKH]

But are more laws necessary?The way I understand it, at least here, is that without a specific law, they cannot stop you or ticket you simply for texting while driving. You must have an accident or something and if they find that you were texting while driving, they can then charge you with reckless operation or something along those lines.

[abcNKH]

Do you not find that talking to someone on the phone is very different than talking to them in RL?absolutely it is different. But I personally don't see any more of a risk while talking on a cell phone (assuming hands-free device) than talking to someone sitting next to you or someone in the back seat.

[kingclick]

Like it or not, agree with it or not, it does not matter. The way our laws are currently interpreted, it must be enumerated.

Because we have to prove to the rest of the world that we are as stupid as we look.

I'm with Pops on this one.

[BAmaracas]

I don't text. Texting is for girls. Girls shouldn't drive. Problem solved. Thank you.

[Sarlu]

I think what gets me and confuses me the most, and yeah..this is kind of off topic, but to do with driving and laws and stuff i guess, but...I have epilepsy. Now, I am permitted to drive because i have not seizured in a very long time and I am stable. However If I was to have a seizure at the wheel even after being permitted to drive and I killed someone I would be up on a manslaughter charge. Yet people who drink and drive and other stupid stuff and make the CHOICE to do dumb stuff like that and kill and injure others usually get less harsher punishment even though they made the stupid decision to alter their driving judgements etc. This is how im understanding it anyways, maybe im wrong?

[Pops In]

I think what gets me and confuses me the most, and yeah..this is kind of off topic, but to do with driving and laws and stuff i guess, but...I have epilepsy. Now, I am permitted to drive because i have not seizured in a very long time and I am stable. However If I was to have a seizure at the wheel even after being permitted to drive and I killed someone I would be up on a manslaughter charge. Yet people who drink and drive and other stupid stuff and make the CHOICE to do dumb stuff like that and kill and injure others usually get less harsher punishment even though they made the stupid decision to alter their driving judgements etc. This is how im understanding it anyways, maybe im wrong?Those who do stupid stuff like driving drinking/drugging/texting/phoning/.... and kill someone should, in my opinion, face manslaughter charges at least.

[Sarlu]

I agree. But should people like myself who have a condition such as epilepsy..diabetes etc who god forbid might seizure etc at the wheel after being stable for so many years and kill someone face the same? Being that it isnt a choice they make for it to happen? Just curious on peoples thoughts tis all :)

[Pops In]

I agree. But should people like myself who have a condition such as epilepsy..diabetes etc who god forbid might seizure etc at the wheel after being stable for so many years and kill someone face the same? Being that it isnt a choice they make for it to happen? Just curious on peoples thoughts tis all :)If medical opinion says you are safe to drive... it's debatable. It maybe the same chance as a bee sting or something.

I have never driven, but nowadays I have a condition like what you said and I would be afraid to drive because of it anyway.

[flygirl]

I just don't see how it could possibly be enforced. It's not like talking on your cell, where you can see the phone held up to the ear. I never text anyway, unless it's to teen while he's in class. Otherwise, I echo the sentiment of that same teen. Upon receiving yet another text from his girlfriend, he called her up and said, "you have a phone in your hand. Why you typin?"

[abcNKH]

"you have a phone in your hand. Why you typin?"on my account, we have unlimited texting - phone minutes are limited and quite expensive to go over...

[Clio]

I agree. But should people like myself who have a condition such as epilepsy..diabetes etc who god forbid might seizure etc at the wheel after being stable for so many years and kill someone face the same?

Yes you most certainly should face the same. If your epilepsy is truly under control then you won't have a seizure. My sister has epilepsy and she knows the signs. She joined a little group for local epileptics (HATE that word) and they all said the same, they know the signs if theyre in tune with their bodies.

I'm not saying that EVERYONE is as in tune with their bodies but if in doubt, stay out from behind the wheel.

[Sarlu]

Yeah clio, to be entirely honest Im inclined to agree. In my instance I have never had an aura before a seizure so ive never known..just bang Im on the floor and bobs yer uncle, im out to it. However..I do have warning signs that my medication levels are not what they should be at or not working right and that is usually a pretty good indication that I should pay a quick visit to the doc for bloods etc. Mine has been stable for a very long time also which I think helps and Ive some pretty good, but scary developments on the way too but I totally agree with what you said in your reply. People know the risks and if they are know that they are THAT much of a risk, I guess its the same as getting in a car drunk or UTI of drugs huh.

[Pops In]

I just don't see how it could possibly be enforced. It's not like talking on your cell, where you can see the phone held up to the ear. I never text anyway, unless it's to teen while he's in class. Otherwise, I echo the sentiment of that same teen. Upon receiving yet another text from his girlfriend, he called her up and said, "you have a phone in your hand. Why you typin?"

on my account, we have unlimited texting - phone minutes are limited and quite expensive to go over...I don't answer texts. If they can't talk to me then sod em.

[abcNKH]

I don't answer texts. If they can't talk to me then sod em.I agree - not just because I would rather talk, but I just can't see those microscopically tiny letters on the keypad of a cell phone. :D

[Pops In]

I agree - not just because I would rather talk, but I just can't see those microscopically tiny letters on the keypad of a cell phone. :DThat as well. :D

[holychicken]

IMO, texting is good for when you do not what to start a whole conversation but do want to send a bit of information to someone or you are in a situation where it would be rude to talk on your phone, but perfectly fine to not pay attention.

[Book Wizard]

Our cell phones are for emergencies only and neither of them have texting.

[Sarlu]

So call me dumb...but I honestly dont even know how to text and then, if I actually DID manage to pathetically manage 'hello' after 5 minutes...i wouldnt know how to go about sending it to someone anyways....lol. I can however call someone...LOL. Is that really weird for someone of 26 years old???