States Want to Ban Texting While Driving

by Tim Stevens on June 12, 2007 at 02:31 PM

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

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225

KatherineSep 3rd 2007 10:13PM

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I am tired of people walking around with phones hanging out of their ears and acting like it's important. Rudeness is the latest fad for 2007. Standing in line, still talking and ignoring the person who is waiting on you. Do people who feel this important realize that everyone around them is privvy to any information they seem to tell the other person? I have a cell phone that I use twice a month. I do fine. I keep it in case of an emergency.

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Roberta PatrickSep 13th 2007 12:22PM

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I think texting while driving should be banned in every state - it would also be nice if talking on cell phones while driving should also be banned, except in serious emergency situations, while the person is pulled over. I really think some people doing this just do it as a status symbol of some kind. I do not want to be killed simply because someone stupid cannot make or receive their phone calls while sitting in their homes. Why should their social life via cell phones, impact on how many people they kill. Rights are important - but what about my right to live.

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Belinda GarnerNov 25th 2007 3:58PM

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Cell phones should be banned for a vehicle in operation by ALL drivers. If an emergency vehicle needs the use of a cell phone, there should be a 2nd person in the vehicle that can do the calls. Sure, cell phones are nice to have in the proper usage, but evidently most people do not know when it is safe to use. ALL STATES should fine cell phone drivers $1000. + 1yr in jail for 1st offense, $5000. + 5yrs for 2nd offense, LIFETIME suspension of drivers license, 10 yrs in jail and $10,000. fine. If the government would do this for DUI as well, our states would be safer. This law should be for ANYTHING that is distracting our drivers attention from the road so they can kill our loved ones legally. When we go to get our drivers license as it stands, we are getting a license to kill, LEGALLY!!!

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Belinda GarnerNov 25th 2007 4:17PM

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The more I read the comments, I am beginning to agree that banning cell phones while driving may not work at all, but most people can't stand to pull out the wallet and pay up. The government should make it a law with the cell phone companies that any one using a cell phone while in motion should be charged a min of $50.per minute. At least we will have a chance that most people won't be able to afford it and the ones that can maybe will only be on it for a minute or two instead of all the time, every time they get behind the wheel.

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buddyNov 25th 2007 4:52PM

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kanyptian your an idiot,we DONT care if you kill yourself,we just dont want to be the unlucky victim you take out with your stupidity.laws are made to save lives and property not just to make money,respect and observe the laws and everyone gets to have a little better (and longer)life

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