States Want to Ban Texting While Driving

by Tim Stevens — Jun 12th 2007 at 2:31PM

In New York it's already illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving without some sort of hands-free kit. Now, in another strike against our cellular liberties, legislators in nine states are trying to ban driving while texting. DWT, as it's referred to, has already been banned in the state of Washington, where a pileup caused by a man checking his e-mail made the bill a no-brainer. Other states, however, have rejected such legislation, either due to a lack of scientific data proving a link between poor driving and texting, or simply because the behavior already falls within existing reckless driving legislation. Whether or not these laws wind up on the books in states near you, it's probably a good idea to keep texting where it belongs -- in the classroom or at the dinner table.

From 'USA Today'

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Tags: Cell phones, CellPhones, texting

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)

spydrworks1067 said 1:48PM on 1-23-2008

I think the ban should extend to everyone. Why just teens? There are adults who do this too and quite capable of killing someone as well when they text. Personally...I don't even know how to use text messaging. Must be a sign of 'old age'...LOL...

Kevin Hett said 4:35PM on 2-24-2008

kanyptian, I hope you die in a fiery death as a result of one of those brain-dead idiots on a cell phone so karma can come back on you and bite you on the proverabial a-s
Have a nice day!

Robert said 2:15PM on 6-13-2007

My daughter had two friends die due to texting.One 15 years old and One 16 years old. This could have easily been mine or your child They were not the ones doing it.It was another driver on the phone A 32 year old in another car.

Sha'Rae said 11:50AM on 12-02-2008

i understand i am 16 and sometime i feel like i cant live without a phone but i had to learn the had way when i had a werck and it was the grace of god that kept me here.

Crabby McSlacker said 2:18PM on 6-13-2007

Is it only coincidence that accidental deaths are on the rise, or are people just getting stupider and stupider?

(Speaking of stupidity, if you're really bored at work, the topic at Crabby's blog today is the "gay bomb." But you're probably better off staying far away from http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/)

Robert said 2:21PM on 6-13-2007

It goes back to common sense - any distraction that happens to you while you are driving a car endangers you & other people that are unlucky enough to be on the road with you...

What a bunch of Phoneys said 2:33PM on 6-13-2007

WHAT A BUNCH OF PHONEYS. According to the poll taken on this aol web page ""91%" of the people that took the poll said Te3xting should be outlaw. That's fine now how about a poll asking them if they would obey that law ????? Guaranteed that of the 91% more than 50% disobey the Hamdfree law and would disobey the no texting law. Don't believe me? If your in a handsfree state like me (NY) just look at the drivers around you . More than50% drive without any handsfree sets. A More realistic figure of 40-45% would reflect the trues result of who w3ants that law enacted

Annie said 2:46PM on 6-13-2007

How absolutely STUPID. Texting? How could you prove that in every case? Cell phone use while driving, in any shape or form, should be banned, MUCH LESS texting.
We all can relay horror stories of accidents or near-misses, all due directly to one of the drivers on their cell phone. More than half people using them are doing so based on the fact they're pretentious. I am NOT impressed by the body count. Cell phone use while driving should be banned, except, of course, for law enforcement officials, firefighters, etc. Any congressional submitted bill should be very specific in spelling out who is allowed to use a cell phone while driving.
I had a clear driving record for 40 years. The last two, however, I've been involved in two accidents, BOTH I was hit from behind, and BOTH drivers of those vehicles were on their cell phone. Those records were promptly subpoenaed in the lawsuits that followed. The fact their negligence was proven paid my medical bills, but will never ease the suffering for the injuries they caused that will be with me the rest of my life.
Even better, impose strict penalties (as in C-A-N-C-E-L) by insurance companies who's insured drivers are involved in accidents where it can be proven they were on cell phones.

pat said 2:51PM on 6-13-2007

It's called driving thats all they should be doing. How many do we see change lanes (don't look) and among others while on the phone. Doing this while tailgating the guy in front of them. Time to get serious about what we do while driving.

Andy Vitello said 2:55PM on 6-13-2007

yes they should any use of phones ,drinking ,and other activities while driving that hurt others ,but the no smoking use of seat belts trans fat bans and other activities that only hurt the individual should not be laws unless they give us universal health coverage Andy Vitello in Buffalo

lonnie evans said 4:24PM on 12-29-2008

Hi Andy how are you, i have to agree with you about this. By the way, are you a Funeral Director? I am a physician and funeral director. Do you know Peter Spallino, and if so; did you attend Simmons college in Syracuse around 1966-67?

Kevin said 2:59PM on 6-13-2007

I believe that it is ok to text only when your at a complete stop. For example, at a red light while your waiting for it to change or at a stop sign when there are no other cars behind you. I dont agree with it when your driving becuase its dangerous. Im 21 and of course I have done it and luckily I have not had an accidents, but it could happen anytime so just be careful and if you really must text just pull off to the side of the road!

Steve Mk1 said 3:06PM on 6-13-2007

Whata bunch of phoneys: I vote for a BAN on texting, because I personally DON'T do it. I DO talk on my cell phone while driving, WITH a Bluetooth headset AND BOTH hands on the wheel, thank you very much. As long as a hands-free option of some kind is used, so that both hands can be on the steering wheel and both eyes can be focused on the traffic situation around you, then talking on a cell phone while driving can be helpful, as in getting directions when needed, or for calling 911 when I see someone TEXTING or HOLDING A PHONE TO THEIR EAR WITH ONE HAND AND A LATTE IN THE OTHER, DRIVING WITH THEIR KNEES, ETC. Talking on a cell phone with hands free is no more a distraction than carrying on a conversation with a passenger, and I see plenty of people on the roads turning around behind the wheel to talk with back seat passengers, you gonna outlaw that, too? I think that particualr issue is adequately addressed with current reckless driving laws, but I think there needs to be a *special* category for people texting on a phone or talking without using a hands-free headset. I would agree with insurance companies cancelling policies on people that do it, too. I was rear-ended by someone talking on a cell phone- guess what? He wasn't using hands-free, he was holding it up with one hand and spacing off with the other brain cell.

Lisa said 11:11PM on 6-13-2007

I understand making it mandatory to use hands free kits while driving BUT I do not want the government having more of a hand in my life than they already do. The word FREEDOM means a lot to me.

Christine said 3:16PM on 6-13-2007

I believe if the law applies to one it should apply to all, that includes law enforcement of any kind. I've seen a policeman traveling at a high rate of speed (at the very least between 90 to 100mph) with a cell phone in one hand and driving with the other. His location was at the crest of a hill in which an intersection exists in mid decent. Tell me where that was a good idea.

Scott Tarpley said 3:32PM on 6-13-2007

Texting,Eating,Drinking sota or coffey, Talking, Rubber necking,Putting on makeup,Tuning the radio,Tending to the kids, Where does it stop! If killing your self is not enoghf to stop you I don't think a ticket will either. This is just another way for the cops to get your $$$$$$$$$$.

Forest said 3:49PM on 6-13-2007

Why don't they also ban our car radio and all dash controls. While you are at it, ban smoking too. My wife was hit at a stop light from behind because the guy who hit her was busy lighting his cigarette and did not see her stopped.

kanyptian said 3:56PM on 6-13-2007

UNREAL...Another way to try and ticket people and create more $$. Do they really care if I was killed in a car crash? Only because I couldn't pay taxes that year. Stay out of our cars, get off our backs! These stupid laws are ridiculous. If people don't have common sense that's a human flaw and no amount of laws is going to change it. If I want to drive around bare foot, smoking a cigarette, and texting my BFF, I will. Period.

RHroadie said 4:00PM on 6-13-2007

Scott Tarpley said "If killing your self is not enoghf to stop you I don't think a ticket will either."

The problem is they arent killing themselves, ITS OTHERS THEY KILL. The whole thing of giving away drivers licenses like candy is part of the problem. You get a license if you can get the car to move forward not by demonstrating you have comand of the car in most situations. All the "safety" features (air bags, anti-lock brakes, and soon to be mandated traction control)they put on cars now also take being a responsible and capable driver out of the equation.

Larry said 4:00PM on 6-13-2007

Cell phones,blackberries, televisions in the car, even constantly changing a radio station or pushing buttons on the CD player are dangerous distractions. Women in particular, driving their automobile, SUV, or trucks are the biggest offenders of careless drivers. These women are talking on their cell phone and holding a cigarette or hair brush in their left hand, and while looking in the rear view mirror, are applying make-up or eating a Big Mac with their right hand. Who the HELL isdriving the vehicle?Let's be honest. Most wome are over cautious terrible drivers. The only drivers worse than women are Asian Americans. I don't know if it's their slanted
eyes that impair them, but when they attempt to drive a vehicle, they are fatalities waiting to happen.

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