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Texting Bus Driver Caught Red-Thumbed by Passenger's Phone Pic

by Caleb Johnson on November 2, 2009 at 12:30 PM

The debate about driving while texting (DWT) is about to hit a fever pitch. If you think people were up in arms about this dangerous habit before, just wait till you hear the latest alarming story. According to the New York Post, a New York City bus driver is being investigated after a passenger snapped a picture of him texting while steering the bus through thick traffic Thursday. Allegedly, the unnamed driver sent three messages during his route from Manhattan to Staten Island. Transit spokesman Charles Seaton told the Post that drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone while in the driver's seat.

While this story is a black eye on the city, it's also ill-timed news for the entire state, which saw a new ban on texting go into effect today. There's a positive side, though. More people might be waking up to the dangers of texting on the road. Yet another new poll by The New York Times and CBS News found that 97-percent of those polled support a ban on driving while texting. Even more resounding, 50-percent said the practice should be treated like drunk driving. With such overwhelming support, it wouldn't be a surprise to see stateside crackdowns similar to the one in England (where texting now results in serious jail time.)

It's like our parents taught us; there's a time and a place for everything. If drivers aren't responsible enough to figure this out, then we'd be more than glad to see the government step in and decide for them. [From: The New York Post, The New York Times and The New York Times]

Tags: cellphone, controversy, danger, driving, newyorkcity, texting, texting while driving, TextingWhileDriving, top, transportation

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