texting & driving

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   Rock N Roll Jeansposted 12 years ago

   Serious thoughts here about a serious problem.  I have heard where autos can be equipped with devices to prohibit driving while drunk. But what about texting?  Can technology step to the forefront here and address this?  Your comments or suggestions are invited.........

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      safiq ali patelposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Do not text and drive. It is potentially very dangerous. The technology does exist to block the sms function on your mobile phone so that you can send a text while you are driving. Other technologies exist that will lock your phone completely while your car is moving so that phone calls and texts can not be made at the wheel.
      
      TEXTING AND DRIVING IS LETHAL. Don' do it.

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         Michael Willisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I did not know this was available. It should be mandatory on all phones to prevent driving and texting. Sure, it will upset passengers in the vehicle, but another person's  life is more important than the phone call or text message.

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      rahulsingh20posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      gearcutters.htm Gear cutters </a> is the process of creating a gear.

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   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   If one needs to be texting and driving, at the same time, then I would say that they have a screw loose.
   
   Otherwise, I would suggest education of self responsibility.

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   emievilposted 12 years ago

   I see that all the time whenever we are on the road. And they do it even if there are police or traffic enforcers on the street. Honestly, I don't know if there's really anything that can be 'done' about it.
   
   On second thought, hey Cags, maybe I can post at the back of my car a sticker saying 'if you're texting and driving at the same time, you must have a screw loose'

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      Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Waves n hugss Em..
      
      I like that bumper sticker.
      
      I saw a bumper sticker once ( in New Zealand) that said
      
      "If you txt and drive ,then youre a bloody idiot"
      
      I think its only going to be by-laws that help, much like banning smoking ,when it first began,slowly but surely! it becomes very uncool to be in the minority.

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         emievilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hey EK. That's certainly telling them straight

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      Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Emie, great to see you. I bet you would hear a mouthful from a lot of people.

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         emievilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Great to see you too Cags. I seldom post here but this subject is one of my pet peeves. There are times I want to pull down my car window and shout at them. It's really pretty obvious when a driver is texting and driving at the same time - head is lowered, driving is slow and one hand is missing from the wheel

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            Michael Willisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            And to make matters worse is when you see Cops driving past these people Texting and doing nothing about it!
            Makes me think about buying a video cam for proof to send to the TV stations. They would definitely use the footage. They could "bur" the facial image and still show what is going on, especially when cops turns a blind eye to it.

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               Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Oh the cops are always reading their laptops sitting to their left ,so yea lead by example dudes.
               
               
               Texting needs to be outlawed then followed through and less talk talk talk about it all.
               
               By the way isnt that what we pay our taxes for ,for authorites to enforce the law.
               I guess we need more deaths to happen.

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                  ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  All texting, or just texting while driving?

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                     Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     All no kidding
                     
                     Banned for driving only,off ,zilch,nada!

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                        ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Pretty hard to enforce

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                           Michael Willisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           But the first step is to want to and try to.

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                              Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              Absolutely agree.
                              
                              The desire to change.
                              The motivation to change is halfway there.

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                           Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           Hard,but not impossible.
                           
                           Truth is just like drunk/drivers ,the police never catch them all ,but the one they do catch and get off the road ,may just be the one that didnt hit your wife/husand/daughter/son.

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                           1. 67

                              Michael Willisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              And I am sure there a fewer on the roads since the "penalties" are so stiff and they Know Cops will stop them if they are seen.  Ignoring it just allows it to continue and more deaths from texting and driving to continue.

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                                 Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                 Yes ,I agree.
                                 Apathy is dangerous ,in my opinion and so annoying.

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                              ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              If you get in your car and drive drunk, you are drunk for the entire duration of your trip. If you are texting 'illegally' you are doing so for only a few seconds at a time. Much lower likelihood you will be spotted at just that moment. Then, as long as actually making calls is not illegal the same physical cues can be explained as punching in a number, or changing the radio, or dropping something on the seat, or whatever.
                              
                              At some point you just have to accept that you can't legislate against stupidity.

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                              1. 67

                                 Michael Willisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                 Since that may be true, then it reasons that Texting and Driving is even more dangerous then. A few seconds compared to an entire drive.  Look at the high rise in deaths from distracted drivers, mainly from Texting and cell phones.
                                 
                                 A new law that just passed in Arkansas I support is the Ban on cell phone use in School Zones and Construction Zones. The bad part is in reality it will be enforced when it becomes a "law in effect" and then fall by the way-side as all other laws against this issue.
                                 
                                 If banning texting as a whole is the only way to fix the problem, then ban it!

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                                    ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                    Even when you are sitting at home on your couch?

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                                    1. 67

                                       Michael Willisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                       If it keeps the saves lives, why not. It is an abused technology that is not under control. If the Law cannot control it, then why not do away with it then.
                                       I would prefer a life saved over a device.

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                                       Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                       Refer to Original post

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                                    3. 47

                                       ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                       Sorry, but people would not put up with that degree of government restriction on personal freedom. I understand how you feel, but it will not, should not, and cannot go that far in America.

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                                          Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                          Well SS ,whether or not people would put up with personal restriction such as banning cell phone use while driving is debatable.
                                          
                                          Actually some places throughout the U.S already have bans in place,so sensibly some peole do put up with good interference.
                                          
                                          I understand and agree 'less government is better' kinda theory,and I dont condone for example heavy handed policing,however if any activity becomes a distraction to road safety ,they already can fine for that anyway.
                                          
                                          And just to keep this topic in perspective ,that is exactly what this topic is all about.
                                          
                                          Distractions with the potential to cause fatalaties.

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                                    4. 67

                                       Michael Willisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                       The Government will not ban texting..it is too big a Business and money maker. That is the reality. Deaths and accident will continue.
                                       The Next big Distraction to Drivers is Surfing the Web on phones while driving. It is on the increase.

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                                       ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                       Eagle: Don't misunderstand. What Mr. Willis was talking about at that point - and what I was responding to - was the idea of banning texting altogether, whether driving or not.

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                                          Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                          I didnt misunderstand ,I was just reminding you of the original post

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                                       ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                       Mr. Willis: The fact that the government won't ban texting altogether is not a matter of corporate greed or the like, it is a matter of the American people not putting up with that level of intrusion. It is also a technical matter that they would have a hard time from preventing people from getting around it anyway.

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                                          Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                          Intrusion?
                                          
                                          The American people already put up with intrusion. Stopping and searching vechicles,homes?,on the premise of 'suspicious behaviour'
                                          
                                          I dont understand your point SS?

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                                       ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                       So the police are going to get a search warrant or build a case for probable cause to enter into every home in the US to make sure no one is texting? Or is obama going to pull a Chavez and take over communications in the whole country to make sure companies can't offer a service? Not going to happen. Silly to propose such a thing.

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4. 67

   Michael Willisposted 12 years ago

   First-Make the Laws just as strong for Texting and Driving as they are for DWI/DUI. Suspension of Driving privileges, heavy fines ($25 is a joke), educational classes and jail time for repeat offenders.
   
   People will say they can't prove anything, but yes they can.
   Just as a drunk driver has a field test, B.A.C. machines...the policeman can check the phones for text messages with the time stamp.
   
   You will never stop all of it just as you want stop all drunks...but when the Laws are harsh enough to save lives from Texting and Killings, people may be less likely to Text and drive.
   
   Ultimately I would prefer to see Texting totally Banned, but it is a money business and won't happen.

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      ShortStoryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      defense lawyers everywhere are drooling over your suggestion of confiscating private property without cause. techies everywhere are giggling at how many different ways they could get around it anyway.

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   wildernessposted 12 years ago

   I certainly don't know of any way a car can stop the driver from texting.  The phone could stop it if equipped with GPS; if the location is changing too rapidly then don't allow it.
   
   On the other hand, if you can survive the process, evolution will take care of the problem by cleaning up the gene pool of those stupid enough to engage in the practice.

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   rebekahELLEposted 12 years ago

   I think there should be harsh penalties for texting and driving and agree with Michael.
   I can't comprehend how anyone can possibly be stupid enough to think texting while driving is safe. I've had young people driving behind me texting, and I'll switch lanes to get away from them. They slow up traffic, put others lives at risk (obviously they don't care about their own or their infant in the back seat) and deserve to be pulled over and given a stiff fine and required to take a safe driving course.
   
   ..a bumper sticker like, parents, your teen texts while driving your car.

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   Mishaposted 12 years ago

   Natural selection will eventually take care of this. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time...

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   howtosoftmod11posted 12 years ago

   I ve see it a lot I dont understand how people can do really its impossible to do booth. We have a cell phone ban in canada but it doesnt do much people still do ut

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   Eaglekiwiposted 12 years ago

   Four teenage girls driving and texting excitedly as they headed to join friends for a graduation party.
   
   Fifteen minutes later, as they turned down a country road,still giggling and texting ,they never saw the tanker rounding the corner.
   
   Instant death and the newspaper the next day showed part of the car wreck and two cell-phones lying nearby.

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    Eaglekiwiposted 12 years ago

    Associated Press - March 1, 2011 5:55 PM ET
    
    SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Lawmakers are trying to delete the practice of texting while driving.
    
    A bill passed by the House on Tuesday will prohibit drivers from typing, sending or reading a text message from a cell phone or mobile communications device. Violations would be subject to a $25 fine.
    
    Democratic Rep. Antonio Lujan of Las Cruces said texting distracts drivers and increases the chances of a traffic crash.
    
    Thirty states and the District of Columbia ban texting while driving, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
    
    The bill cleared the House on a 58-7 vote and goes to the Senate.
    
    Opponents said existing laws, such as those against careless driving, should cover drivers who are texting.
    
    The bill allows motorists to text if they are safely stopped in their vehicle.
    
    58-7 vote -Good!

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    frogdroppingposted 12 years ago

    Using your cell 'phone in any way, shape or form get's you hammered over here (UK) and it is enforceable. Folks find themselves in the mire to Christmas and back all the damn time, so they ain't learning.
    
    As for me, when you could use your 'phone, I didn't bother. Too busy watching the road, identifying gaps I could squeeze into, and generally letting others know I own the road when I'm on it

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       Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       
       
       
       Yes I did a wee google and quite surprised the countries that are a little more proactive in the responsible use of cells/texting.
       
       
       I can understand some attitudes that react with  any Government interference,but its a safety issue dammit,and just might be more lenient than my governing practices (Hey ,kids one toy at a time ,ok!!! ) or I take it away from you ,til you know how to play safely.

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    rebekahELLEposted 12 years ago

    It needs to be a stiff fine in order to stop someone from taking the risk.
    $25.00 is nothing.

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       Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Its a start.
       
       
       But yea in New Zealand my hubby (American) got hit by a $150 instant fine ( 7 days to pay),for not wearing his seat belt.
       Wow ,sparks flew that morning and I had to stop him from ordering up the full USA Military strike force-hahaha.
       But I tell you ,hubby ALWAYS wears his seatbelt now, double checks ,and we are not even in that country anymore
       
       Money or losing it,is a good deterent.

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    frogdroppingposted 12 years ago

    Hey eaglekiwi
    
    I used to work with a woman that texted like a demon, constantly. Sometimes we had to go out in the company vehicle and she always wanted to drive. She used to scare the bejesus from me, one hand on the wheel, her other texting like billy-oh.
    
    Everything about her driving was related to what she was texting. Having a laugh she drove sloppy, annoyed with someone she was downright aggressive, sending love notes she was just plain pre-occupied and dangerous
    
    I coulda kissed Tony Blair when the law was passed banning 'phone use when driving!

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    Eaglekiwiposted 12 years ago

    Honestly I like new technology ,but abuse is well nutty
    
    
    What gets me is txting to say hey Im outside ,then honking their horn as well....not sure if people are just lazy, or becoming more stupid. Ok thats not dangerous but its gone crazy.
    
    Good for you Tony Blair!!

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    barryrutherfordposted 12 years ago

    The fine could be increased to say $300 first offence then $500 then a $1000 third offence with loss of licence

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       Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       ..Or maybe taking the cell and putting it in the naughty box-then they pay a fine to retrieve it.

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          barryrutherfordposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Now thats a idea!

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       rebekahELLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Sounds better. A fine won't mean anything until it's something that hurts. A driver's safety course should be part of the fine.
       
       I don't know anyone who texts and drives. I know one person who used to until his family,including his wife, refused to ride with him until he agreed to pull over if a text was absolutely necessary.

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    Eaglekiwiposted 12 years ago

    WHILE DRIVING
    
    
    I like cell phones truly I do and the cell phone companies will survive Im sure

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    LeanManposted 12 years ago

    Last week I almost had a head on when another driver was texting on their phone and drifted into my lane - They were on a motorbike!! Can you believe it!!

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