Stop with the texting and driving!!!

1. 71

   Cre8torposted 12 years ago

   Stop with the texting and driving!!!
   
   Do we really need a law about texting and driving? With integrated dvd, gps, touch screen stereos, conversation mirrors, buttons, plugs, switches, cigarettes, drinks, food, dancing, dressing, reading and on and on and on that people do while driving...is texting really worth it's own special law?! Our lawmakers really need to find something better to do.

   replyreport
2. 60

   Jo_Goldsmith11posted 12 years ago

   If you google how many reported deaths in your state from texting while driving. You may change your mind. It is not just about trying to protect the person who is doing the texting but those who are in front, behind and on either side. It is a distraction and it could lead to death. I personally get aggravated when I find an intelligent individual texting for such a length of time, they don't even notice I am trying to get their attention to stop by honking the horn or trying to make sure the road rage person in the middle lane will not veer off into the lane you and I are both currently in.  You are too busy with the text, and the person in the middle is too busy with the anger that between the two, I am at risk for a possible accident.
   So I will slow down and let you get enough space ahead or allow you to fall behind. If more people would practice common sense and thought about others safety as well, The government wouldn't need to step in and play BIG BROTHER.
   
   Here is to your safety on the roads!

   replyreport
   1. 71

      Cre8torposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So it's okay if I punch in addresses on my GPS...so long as I'm not texting?

      replyreport
3. 71

   BLACKANDGOLDJACKposted 12 years ago

   You forgot about sex while driving.
   
   This is the lecture I give my 18-yr-old daughter. Distracted driving and impaired driving (alcohol and drugs) increases your chances of being in an auto accident that is your fault. If you have an accident that is your fault, I am going to take $2,000 dollars out of your savings account. You know, the hard-earned money you earned from your job. The $2,000 is $500 for the deductible, $1,200 for the surcharge the insurance company is going to put on my policy for the next 3 years, and $300 for a rental while your car is being repaired, because I’m certainly not going to drive you all over the place at all hours of the day and night.
   
   For some reason she pays more attention to me when I am talking about HER money.
   
   I agree with you, our lawmakers should be concentrating on other things. Like keeping our cities from going bankrupt.           
   
   Or they could pass a law about driving with both hands on the wheel. People who drive with two fingers of one hand drive me nuts. Amputees, of course, are excluded. They are probably are more careful if they only have one arm.

   replyreport
   1. 71

      Cre8torposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I like it. My son will be driving soon and I'm with you. I may be stealing your cash idea and adding a $200 "you gave me an ulcer" fee to that...I may as well get a BROWNS! game out of the deal. ;-)

      replyreport
   2. 76

      Laura Schneiderposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer, and great parenting! I think getting off with only $2000 is a little cheap even, though: if it were my kid, I'd charge them at least $3-4k--the extra for the hassle factor alone, and the ulcer Cre8tor mentioned, and gray hairs. :-)

      replyreport
4. 60

   Traci21posted 12 years ago

   Should be just simple common sense not to text and drive. There  is already enough distraction.

   replyreport
5. 61

   IDONOposted 12 years ago

   Well, sir. I fail to agree. I do agree the specific law of texting is nuts, but a blanket impaired or distracted driving law would be appropriate. I guess finding better things to do depends on the way we think as individuals. They spend a lot of time with laws about terrorism and time and money spent on defense. Are these better things? Since many more people die in the U.S. from impaired driving than in wars or terrorist acts, I'm not so sure.
        Many of the examples you gave, although trivial, have an immediate need. I know. That's a stretch, but so is dancing. Most texts are not so important that they need an immediate response. If so, they would call. Plus, the person originating the text, probably doesn't know you are driving at the time and doesn't require an immediate response. That poor decision is made solely by the person driving.
       I'm guilty of this, so I can comment. No one is complaining about the effort and laws about driving while drunk or high, but yet millions of people still do it everyday. I've done it many times. I'm not proud of that. But the laws about texting and driving are not going to stop people from doing it.
        If you're drunk or texting, your eyes are not on the road. Either way, it's dangerous and can cost lives.
        These laws are not made to punish the texter. They are made to protect the people that are not. Laws are made because people are irresponsible and can't use common sense on their own.
        Keep in mind, These laws are not acts of congress. They are made by local people in local communities. That's their job.
        P.S. How 'bout lunch next week?

   replyreport
   1. 71

      Cre8torposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well I think you agree actually. This is my point...we don't need a specific law for texting. Our many factory options are just as dangerous. And yes, I've seen more than one person getting their groove on while behind the wheel. You buy I'll fly.

      replyreport
6. 0

   Garifaliaposted 12 years ago

   YOUR 100 SCORE IS WELL DESERVED. I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   replyreport
7. 76

   Laura Schneiderposted 11 years ago

   See the video "game" I posted a link to on another texting/driving question! Very powerful!
   
   No, I don't think texting deserves a special law, but distracted/impaired laws should include texting and talking on the phone and messing with GPS and other factory nonsense. For me, I'll stick to listening to the radio and watching the road--maybe trying to sing along with some songs. LOL And/or chewing gum.
   
   That's the extent of my distraction threshold: if you're driving, then for god's sake pay attention and do it right! Including following traffic laws--they're not meant to be tricky, they're meant to save lives, including our own. If you have to answer the phone or text or GPS, PULL OVER! It's not hard to do in most places/on most roads. So you go a smidge out of your way--that's a whole lot better than being dead or killing a carload of innocent kids driven by an unsuspecting parent.

   replyreport