Car Tech, Cell Phones, Mobile Phones
Texting While Driving in Utah Could Get You 15 Years in Jail
Texting while driving is a really bad idea, no matter where you are. But texting while driving through Utah is an even worse idea, and can actually result in up to 15 years in prison if you hit someone while doing so.
The state's new law, which took effect at the beginning of the summer, enforces the same penalities on those texting behind the wheel and causing a fatality as those who drink and drive, causing the same result. It means that the act is no longer relegated to "accident" status, and instead places it firmly in the "reckless driving" category. The move comes after a texting-related crash that killed two scientists.
The law mirrors recent studies, which have shown that driving while chatting away on a cell phone poses the same risks as driving with a .08 blood alcohol level -- and that driving while texting doubles the risk.
While strong measures against texting drivers are being taken in many states, it's often difficult to prove guilt, largely because a driver can claim to be dialing, changing the music on their iPhone, or one of a several other alternatives.
And what's the deal with texting while stopped at traffic lights? We vote that that should be legal. [From: NY Times]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dennis Carr said 8:20AM on 8-31-2009
"And what's the deal with texting while stopped at traffic lights? We vote that that should be legal"
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Dennis Carr said 8:25AM on 8-31-2009
"And what's the deal with texting while stopped at traffic lights? We vote that that should be legal"
Really, then I can only hope and pray you are the next to get killed.......
I have seen people texting, all over the road and off the right side, only a complete idiot would think that is a good idea...at any time.
The fool that starts texting in front of me and doesn't see the light turn green is going to be pushed though the light into some very un-forgiving.
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ryaninc said 9:03AM on 8-31-2009
I never text while driving, and I only text at redlights when I absolutely have to. But yeah, I've been guilty of not seeing the light change more than once. :-)
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lookatthepiggy said 9:41AM on 8-31-2009
Making "texting" illegal is far too specific. Does that mean I can send emails while driving? Can I check the weather? How about get directions?
I don't have any problems with texting while driving as long as you aren't an idiot about it (unfortunately most people are). If there are other cars or people around I won't text.
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Master Shake said 10:19AM on 8-31-2009
A penalty is one thing. 15 years in prison is another. This is a perfect example of why America now has more prisoners than any other nation in the world. More than BOTH China and Russia COMBINED, but with less than 1/6th of their total population. This is not the description of a free country. These statistics are consistent with a police state. Yes, texting while driving is dangerous and wrong. But not 15 years in prison wrong. You can kill someone and get only 7 years!
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gn5100 said 10:40AM on 8-31-2009
Texting is obviously bad... But talking on a cell phone? How is that different from talking to a passenger in your car? That makes no sense at all.
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superbumper said 8:43AM on 9-02-2009
80% percent of all rear end collisions are caused by driver inattention, following too closely, external distraction (talking on cell phones, shaving, applying makeup, fiddling with the radio or CD player, kids, texting, etc.) and poor judgement. That's why I got one of these: superbumper.com and sparebumper.com
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ntox19 said 12:04AM on 9-08-2009
Texting while driving, Like the other guy said, I have nothing against it as long as the person knows what he/she is doing, and the problem really is most of them don't. I also think 15 years is a lil too harsh BUT IT SHOULD BE PENALIZED AS A MURDER since IT IS.
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