Text Messaging to Blame in Teen's Car Wreck?

I live in Southern California, home to many of the nation's worst drivers. There is almost never a day that goes by where someone doesn't nearly cause an accident in my lane when I'm driving. Remember I live in a place overrun by legal and illegal immigrants, most of whom did not learn to drive here. It is a frightening thing. Recently when I got off the exit ramp and got to the red light, I took a look around me at the others who had just left the freeway. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that 75% of all the cars around me that I could see had a driver that was on a cell phone. Combine that fact with the fact that many of these people have very poor driving skills to begin with and we've got a real dangerous mess on our hands.

The most dangerous activity most of us will ever experience is driving an automobile. Even more deadly than a tour in Iraq. 50 years and a million miles later I have seen alot of lunatic on the road. Some of them stupid but most are just plain careless. Driving to stay alive is a full time job and any distraction large or small can cost you your life. Every year 50,000 people in the USA find this out the hard way. While driving I constantly scan for erratic drivers so I can avoid them. Most of these people are talking on the phone, reading a book or newspaper, eating or doing something besides paying attention to the conditions on the road. Sorry teens if you think you are being singled out for lack of experience but there is a big difference between steering a car and driving one. It takes time. Pay attention to the traffic, if you save your life just once its worth all the effort.

Here's the deal. Many laws on the books in the State of NY were flagrantly broken by Bailey Goodman on that fateful night. She is the one responsible for the deaths of herself and the other four girls. She was just a typical 17-year-old cheerleader, full of herself, unthinking of others or the circumstances and potential dangers she was putting everyone in that car into the path of by doing everything wrong. In the MeMe world of teens, there's no bandwidth to actually think about what you're doing to others. So it's no surprise that she thought it was perfectly OK to drive that vehicle at that time of night, full of under-aged girls, with a junior license that, by law, did not permit any of that, all while flapping her lips against a cell phone, which is also unlawful. I can't help but wonder what the true feelings are of the families of those four other girls. How do they feel about Bailey Goodman and what she did to their daughters?

I think that life is way too busy to not do stuff while driving. It's unfortunate that this mishap ended in the death of teenagers, but did they rule out underage drinking or drug use as a possible irritant? No. So you could say that's still a possibility. So what are we saying, that cell phone use while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving? If so, we should install a DUC, Driving Under the influence of a Cell phone. That would definitely keep people from using a cell phone while driving! >sarcasm

Cell phone use in csrs is quite legal in CT, MA and NY. I know for a fact in MA you aren't even required to use 'hands free'.

I heard the real culprit of the crash was a slower moving driver she tried to pass who sped up will she was attempting to pass.

I am 110% against any use of mobile phones by a driver.

IF YOU USE A CELL FONE WITH EAR FITTINGS
CAN YOU STILL HEAR EMERGENCY VEHICLES?

As a retired police officer,I've seen many accidents.And,several wrecks.Accidents are just that,usally caused by someone else.Now a wreck is something different.A wreck is often avoidable.Distractions are a major cause for wrecks.Whether the cause is a cell phone,stereo,or another person.A distraction should be avoided whenever possible.We as people are trying to multi-task to the point of doing four things(or more)at a time,not satisfied with doing just two or three things.The speed limits are higher now,people are more daring,add this to being distracted,then a wreck always in your future.When,is the question.So leave a little earlier,make the calls when NEEDED with a headset,Stay alert,and don't forget,There is always somebody in another car not as alert as you.

To the grim bleeper.... Please look up information you provide before providing it.

Cell phones in cars are not illegil in Mass.

I do agree they should be though.

All they need to do is, make it so cell phones don't work inside a car. Emergencies, step outside the car and make the call.