Obama bans texting while driving
October 9, 2009 by Fred HosierPosted in: cell phones and safety, Special Report, Transportation safety, What do you think?
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President Obama has signed an Executive Order banning 4.5 million employees from texting while driving.
Whose employees? The federal government’s, including the military.
Federal workers are banned, effective immediately, from text messaging when they are behind the wheel of government vehicles and from texting in their own cars if they use government-issued phones or are on official business.
The order also encourages federal contractors and others doing business with the government to do the same.
The measure comes in the wake of a meeting in Washington of 300 federal and state officials to discuss growing safety concerns about cell phone use while driving.
Along with the federal employee ban, the Obama administration plans to ban texting by bus drivers and truckers who travel across state lines and may also make it illegal for them to use cell phones while driving, except in emergencies.
Some in the trucking industry are concerned about what effect this will have on the computers thousands of long-haul truckers use in their cabs to communicate with dispatchers and do other work.
However, both Federal Express and UPS already prohibit their drivers from using these devices or other hand-held communication devices while their vehicles are in motion.
When UPS trucks are moving, they can’t receive two-way messages, according to the company.
The District of Columbia and 18 states ban texting while driving to different degrees.
One option the federal government could use to encourage more states to enact these types of laws would be to threaten their federal highway funding. The federal government used that tactic to get states to lower the legal blood-alcohol limit while driving to .08 and to increase the drinking age to 21.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11% of drivers on the road at any given moment are using hand-held cell phones.
The Harvard Center of Risk Analysis says cell phone use is contributing to 6% of all crashes a year, resulting in 2,600 deaths and 342,000 injuries.
The National Safety Council reports several hundred companies have banned employees from using their cell phones while driving.
What should government do - or not do - to regulate use of cell phones while driving? Let us know in the Comments Box below.
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Tags: National Traffic Safety Administration, texting while driving, truckers
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October 9th, 2009 at 11:21 am
They should increase the punishment NOT ban responsible drivers that can successfully and safely text while driving. This is typical government, they think they know what is best — forget individual rights.
It should be simple. Increase penalties if you cant handle texting and driving, but do not punish those that can with those that cant! Doesn’t individual rights mean anything anymore?
October 10th, 2009 at 11:57 am
80% percent of all rear end collisions (the most frequent vehicle accident) 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. There is nothing you can do to prevent a rear end collision so I got one of these sparebumper.com
October 12th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Unless someone has two sets of eyes, I don’t believe anyone can safely text and drive at the same time…
October 12th, 2009 at 8:59 am
It’s about time…doing ANYTHING while driving is dangerous, whether it be using a cell pone to text or talk, eating a sandwhich, or yelling at your kids. Jason B has made a great comment. I would go further: even with 2 sets of eyes, you still only have 1 brain, and having your attention distracted will cause trouble.
A wise man once told me: “Do something dangerous enough times and eventually someone will get hurt.”
October 12th, 2009 at 9:50 am
In regards to the reponse listed by Brad….. How would you expect the goverment, or any agency for that fact, to determine the ABILITY for someone to text while driving? Should it be a specialized endorsement on their drivers license??? There would be too many vairables to test out, traffice times, highway travel versus side roads, at night verus the day…etc. The concept would not work period! Anything that removes complete attention to driving is an accident waiting to happen….and with accident lives are at stake!
Although I disagree with many of the ideas and concept from the president….I honestly believe this is needed and should become a punishable law such as driving while intoxicated.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:00 am
There is no such thing as a “responsible driver” that can text safely while driving. Anyone who thinks that is really just a “lucky driver”. I’m not willing to bet my life on your luck.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I Agree with Jason B. it takes just 1/2 a second of not looking to hit or get hit, i cant say that I dont do it cause i have been known to text and drive but when my kids are in the car they let me have it when I try to do that so have weined myself and try to not do that but I also think that the goverment trys to run a dictatorship and tell us all what to do and how to do it, all the rules I know are in place for a reason, but I feel they stick their noses where they dont belong, they give stats that they want us to hear and not the other end of the picture as in seat belts, helmet laws etc. there are as many accidents from those people doing what the goverment wants us to do as there are for those not doing as the goverment wants I believe in the saying if its gonna happen it gonna happen
October 12th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Brad,
You’ve got to be kidding (or very immature)! Your statement is flawed on several counts.
“Responsible drivers” don’t text and drive, and there is no such thing as “safely text while driving”. Where have you been the last 6 months when several reports were issued from a variety of sources supporting the FACT that texting is a distraction drivers? The statistics apply to all age groups.
“Individual rights” don’t include killing ME while you’re texting. Just down the street from me, one 17 year old driver texting while she drove, rear-ended and killed another 17 year old driver. Whose rights were violated in that scenario? It is repeated daily by people who think they can text and drive safely!
The belief you can text and drive safely at the same time is a dangerous myth that jeopardizes your safetly and mine!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Also in regards to the statement by Brad. I think you are partly right. The penalties for those that are involved in an accident while using a hand held devise should be increased. However, I believe it is also necessary to have a law that does bans texting and driving at the same time. True individual rights are important, but at what cost? Because the cost you are not addressing in your statement is the cost of a potential human life, either yours or someone else’s. It would be interesting to hear your opinion on this matter after you have lost someone you love to a driver that was distracted by texting. Jim is right; there is no way to positively identify the ability for someone to text while driving. And what is more, is that the statistics are against you Brad. Studies show that texting while driving is analogous to driving while intoxicated. Should we also exercise our individual rights and allow people to drive drunk behind the wheel? I am sure you are probably one that could accomplish driving while intoxicated and texting at the same time; you might be that one anomaly that adds in the margin of error for all studies. However, if you would like to join me in the world of reality, and really look at all the close calls you have had texting while driving (and I can only assume that you have driven while intoxicated), i think you would change your opinion on this matter.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Brad,
#1 Driving is a privilege NOT A RIGHT. You are probably the guy I was behind yesterday that could not keep the vehicle in the proper lane - once I got to pass I could see you texting and not paying attention to the road.
#2 I’ll bet you are also one of the people who is still sitting at the green light because you are texting and not paying attention.
#3 I’ll also bet that you also think you can drive safely after drinking, or that you can watch a movie while driving.
#4 Life, in general, must mean more to the majority of us than it does to you - I do not want you texting or using the cell phone at all unless it is hands free. (You are supposed to have both hands on the steering wheel - DA)
October 12th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Here I go, running my mouth again…
Statistically speaking, there have been more fatalities in motor vehicle accidents than WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq COMBINED. And those are situations where people are TRYING to kill each other. Statistically speaking, it’s safer to hand a 16 year old a gun than hand them car keys. Letting someone text while driving is just making an already hazardous situation MORE hazardous (can you tell I’m a safety director yet? lol…)
This is one of the positive things Obama’s administration has done. I don’t agree with much he does, but this one is pretty straight forward common sense.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:08 am
This is just me, but I can actually reach to punch a dial on the radio and be halfway across the road! Distractions come in all shapes…
October 12th, 2009 at 11:15 am
I vividly remember reading a statement from the Maine Secretary of State when I took my Driver’s Education Course:
Driving a motor vehicle is not a right, it is a privalege.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Ok Brad, ….this is where you are supposed to chime in and support your statement!
Ooh wait, there is no merit to the statement, and by now, you are either writing a response that is so long that it is taking all this time to prepare it with statistical data or you have realized the foolishness in the comment altogher.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE SO DUMB THAT THEY CAN,’T FIGURE OUT THAT USING CELL PHONES AND TEXT WHILE DRIVING IS DANGEROUS AND THAT THE GOVERMENT WILL HAVE TO STEP IN A WASTE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PASS LAWS TO MAKE USING CELL PHONES AND TESTING AGAINST THE LAW.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Hey Brad, seems everybody’s beatin up on you today. Wanna know why? Because you made some pretty irresponsible comments, that I hope you don’t mean. It is a SHAME that our government has to step in and tell us to do what we know that we ought to be doing in the 1st place! The responsible drive is one who will keep his eyes, hands, and mind on the task at hand, DRIVING! On a 12hr trip I completed just yesterday, I can’t tell you how many driver (TRUCK DRIVERS) who were in-and-out their lane next to me, and in front of me, who were using their cell phones, honestly! Remember this, “Every accident is 100% preventable, because Every Accident stems from and Incident. Remeve the incedent and there won’t be an accident.” THE CELL PHONE IS AN INCIDENT! Listen to Cynthia, RS, George Colby, and the rest. They care about you, and the rest of the motoring public! So Do I…
October 12th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Maybe the next step is to make cell phones unable to transmit / receive while in motion, thus even passengers must be in a stopped vehicle to send/receive? That would certainly be too much but without drivers making the responsible decision, the decision may be made for them.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Drivers get distracted, it is a common problem and causes accidents where fatalities have occured. To add texting to your drive is what putting a book on your stearing wheel was ten years ago, outrageous. The fact that the responsibility or should I say, lack of responsibility drivers have created by texting and driving forces those in power to govern our lives where we do not take the social responsibility to do the right thing, which is focus on driving while driving, not everything else while driving! Multi tasking is not healthly for those of us when on the road and behind the wheel. Protect those you love and yourself by only driving when behind the wheel, everything else should happen on the side of the road or through your passenger, not the driver.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I think that texting while driving is much like other safety concerns (seatbelts, helmets, etc) they are ultimately an insurance issue, not a government regulation concern. All it takes is for our insurance rates to go up and people EVERYWHERE will stop doing it.
… did you know that military personnel have their life insurance policies voided if they are not wearing “proper gear” while motor cycling? No helmet, no benefit. It’s a simple and effective way to keep people safe.
Why not do the same for texting… if it is shown that a driver was texting at the time of the accident, their insurance company can deny the claim and find them 100% liable for all expenses? Maybe THEn people will think twice about texting “LOL” or grocery lists while driving.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
While driving on the FWY & HWY”S if you look closely, most people are driving well under the speed limit because they are either talking or texting on their cell phones. This not only causes Road Rage because people are not paying attention to what they are doing but it causes wrecks. If the government can get this passed, I say more power to them.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I agree, Brad doesn’t know as much as he thinks he does. The real question I have is how would this be enforced? When I am driving I see countless violations, texting being a big one and never a patrol officer around. When I have seen police they drive right past these people and never give it a second look. Am I expected to pull over and stop to report the person who is by now in the next county if he hasn’t crashed.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I agree that there is too much attention given to other items of interest while a person is driving. Texting has to be difficult to do while driving. I never have tried it. However, I have seen people putting on there make-up and looking in the mirror to check it out while driving., And doing a myriad of other things. I DO NOT feel Gov’t should step in however, Why can’t people be resposible for their own actions??
October 12th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Ok, it’s pretty clear that Brad is about 12. Nuff said. However, I think its about time out governement STOPS
October 12th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I think its about time the our government stop trying to legislate common sense. There is NO way to inforce this law, it won’t be inforced and we are going to spend millions (course Obama dosen’t care how he spends YOUR money) on getting this passed, only to have it sit on the books idle…another law that tries to dictate common sense. Increase the penality for those that do have accidents while texting. Pass a law that similar to those regarding alcohol testing. You refuse to let the cop see the time of your last recieved or sent text, same as refusing a breathelizer. We spend way to much time and money passing laws that less vaulable than the paper they are written on. WE CAN’T LEGISLATE COMMON SENSE. Good lord, half of congress would be out on their ear if we could!
October 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
What the President did was fine but this doesn’t solve the problem nationally. The Feds need to issue an ultimatum to the states, “Pass legislation banning driver-distracted activity or face a loss of federal highway funding”. They used this hammer to get all the staes to bring their legal drinking age to 21. Why not employ the same tactic here? And it’s a rotten shame we have to beg the government to protect us from ourselves.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I agree with the majority that texting while driving is dangerous. I also think it should be outlawed. However, it seems to me that doing it at a federal level with an executive order is unconstitutional. This is not a dictatorship where the executive has the ability to legislate. That is given to the legislature alone. Driving is under the jurisdiction of the states, not the federal government, and so should be left to the individual states to make the laws.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Texting while driving? I know of no state that would pass a driver who engaged in texting while he was being tested for a lisence. To engage in texting while driving is,,,, well stupid. To risk ones life and the lives of others while driving is stupid, when you could simple talk to them. Before the pencil necks in Washington and our state houses are done, there will be volumes of laws written to eliminate the danger presented to motorists.
As a matter of fact, there are already many laws on the books that would handle the issue. Improper lane useage comes to mind. Cops use this one to write tickets for about anything. Stop wasting our time and money Washington. Lets legislate something worth while. Maybe reading the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is in order. Wake up!
October 12th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
they should do away with cell phone use in all vehicals at all times w/ the exception of an emergency. even w/ hands free set ups your mind is in a coversation and not on attention of operating a vehical. text was created for the hearing impaired and to me got blew way out of the intensions it was designed for. really why spend hrs texting when you can call and say what is needed to be said and hang up. alot of people need to get a life. thier is more important and interesting things to be done other than spending most of your life texting on a phone. so stupid. far as im concerned cell phones should be treated like drug use. you get caught using in a vehical you do the time.
October 12th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I recently came across a blog post in consumer reports about a new free mobile phone application to help combat distracted driving called DriveSafe.ly that reads your texts and emails to you while you are driving.
It looked pretty interesting so I tried it. I have a BlackBerry and it has really helped me when I’m on the road because it keeps me from texting while driving. It works through my Bluetooth and it can actually send an auto-response to the sender. I’ve had some fun with customizing the auto-response messages. I’m not that technical but it’s easy to use. I recommend people checking out http://www.DriveSafe.ly
October 12th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Carey - The insurance increase or 100% liability idea will not work. Too many unlicensed and uninsured drivers seem to have enough money to pay for a cell phone with all of the extras but claim bankruptcy at the first sign of any financial responsibility. Even sentencing them to jail time doesn’t get the message through to them and certainly doesn’t help the true victims of any accident.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Editor’s note regarding Philip’s post: Obama’s order affects federal government employees only. Please see the second sentence of the story.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Leadership by example. Although we should ALL adapt this ban regardless of whether it is law or not, this does not come down to who thinks they can drive while texting and who doesn’t, this is a SAFETY issue that has proven to be deadly.
We shouldn’t need the federal government, or any other form of authority to tell us that this is risky behavior. Common sense tells us “hey this is dangerous, I better not do it” period. But of course, there are those (like Brad) who think they have superior skills to everyone else and an accident will not happen to them. This is why Obama is setting the example with his employees.
Before we go mouthing off about dictatorships and individual rights, maybe we should realize our own limitations and “volunteer” to do the right thing. If only to protect our own lives.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
One thing I agree with is, doing anything else but driving behind the wheel is an accident waiting to happen. Goverment in my opinion has stepped way to much as it is. Fine the individuals for driving while texting, eating, drinking, reading the newpaper, playing with the CD players etc. All of these items are dangerous acts while driving. When are we going to make people take responsiblity for themselves. Everytime something happens, we except someone to protect us or take care of us. If you made ever individual responsible for their own actions, the US would be much better off and won’t have this big debt. It has gotten out of hand that we allow people to sue other individual or place of business for their own stupid acts.
Everyone wants their rights!!!!! Well then make them responsible for their own actions.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
A lot of great comments here. I don’t need to add anything, I’m sure if the first poster has come back and read these, he’s more then got the message and will see the error of his ways.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Phillip,
Obama passed the ruling on Federal Employees. Obama is their Boss. The rest is encouragement on other agencies where he isn’t their direct boss to do the same.
October 12th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I agree with all of you, except Brad. There are people like Brad out there, who think it is a right to drive, and there are people like the other 31 respondents who agree distractions, including texting, while driving are a problem.
But I think we collectively are missing the point. WE MUST DO SOMETHING. The question is what? I don’t think any one thing will be the “silver bullet” that over night stops this dangerous practice. The solution must come on many fronts at one time. Insurers need to penalize this behavior (when it is apparent), local laws need to recognize the hazard to the public, law enforcement needs to enforce those laws, public media needs to denounce texting, driver’s ed needs to emphasize this risk, organizations need to communicate the hazard to the public, like the National Safety Council is doing in its recent anti-texting campaign, and the federal government must control texting within its authority.
We must all take an active role to the extent we are able to communicate to people like Brad how inappropriate and dangerous his attitude and behavior are.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I think rather than microregulate our every day actions we all need to take responsibility for our actions… It is a fact that people have different reaction times…. some people can multitask better than others… our government belongs in certain areas of our lives and not in others… I am never in favor of trying to over control with government and laws… Some things make sense, some do not…
Our freedoms are dwindling and our government is growing by leaps and bounds… lets each be responsible and also realize that when some are not responsible people get hurt… This world is not a safe place and after working in many other countries and seeing of how little worth human life seems to be in other places I am very grateful that our country has come such a long way with safety and providing protections however I think we have to be careful and draw the line somewhere… Accidents will happen.. they are always for stupid reasons… maybe if as taxpayers we want our government to do something to help this we can show to our children and maybe the greater populance some of the gruesome images that result from cell phone texting accidents… but lets not have every part of our lives regulated in a failing effort to make everything perfectly safe…
As several others here have stated - Lets all be more responsible and take responsibility for our actions…
October 12th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I agree with not allowing texting while driving. However, it’s like any other law that is put into place. If it’s not enforced than it’s not worth the paper it was written on. Examples: driving without a license or insurance, talking on your cell phone without a blue tooth.
How many accidents are the cause of someone without a license or they don’t have insurance. No consequence. They get their hand slapped and a possible citation but they continue to drive. I thought the car was suppose to be inpounded until proof of insurance was provided along with a valid license. I pay for car insurance do you?
How many times do you pass people that have their cell phone up to their ear and talking while driving? Doesn’t the law state that’s illegal……yet they continue to do it and the law isn’t enforced. It’s really bad when you see a police officer talking on his cell phone while driving. How can you enforce the law when you are breaking it.
Texting takes concentration. If you’re concentrating on the message you are sending or concentrating on the message you received you have taken your eyes off the road. An accident can happen within seconds so don’t even think you can text and drive at the same time. Oh you may get away with it for a while but the odds are against you and it will come back to bite you right in the “xxx”.
Now with all that said let’s see if our government enforces what our President signed off on. So far I’m not impressed with what I’ve seen in the last couple of years not to mention that our law enforcement needs to step it up and enforce the laws that have passed.
Just exercising the amendment of “Freedom of Speech” and voicing my opinion.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Mr. Brad, you are the man!!! NOT!!!!!!! You need to pay attention to the road, as well as manage other distractions i.e. person in front slows down or stops, person in next lane moves over with no signal, or child or animal runs into the road. And my favorite, other person on cell phone, deep in conversation runs a red light at 50mph. Brad may you never experieince someone running into you because they too thought that they could text/talk and pay attention to the road with all of it’s distractions. I am not in favor of the government making policy; however, employers whose employees drive company vehicles have the right of management to establish policies and procedures regarding the use of cell phones while driving.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
How many times I have seen police officers driving while talking into a cell phone although our State requires hands free devices. What and example for our youths “do as I say not as I do” We accept the principles of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness and Liberty has responsibilties one of them being not to harm others or putting them at risk in our pursuit. Our vehicles can cause great harm to ourselves and others and its our responsiblity to operate them in a safe manner and if cell phones and texting is it outlawed I say its about time and our officials have to be at the fore front as examples.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I live in Washington State were there is a law to prohibit the use of cell phones with out a hands free device. But like I have seen other people post, you see drivers talking on them all over the place. I don’t know how the police can enforce that. I think it is a $100 fine if you get caught, not nearly enough. People have a tendency to do things until they get caught.
The company that I work for turned off the ability to text on all company cell phones, smart move!
This kind of issue makes you wonder how people communicated before texting, or even cell phones. Wow, they actually had to wait and call someone, no instant gratification!!! Hmm… Very selfish!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
I agree that people when using cell phone handsfree or without handsfree, it is a big distraction to the driver and it is unsafe. I agree that the existing laws out there are not enough and the law becomes a joke. I drive to work every day for about 3 hours on the CA freeways and I see cars weaving in and out the lanes, or someone driving so slow in the fast lane. Upon passing them, I can see that they are on the cell phone without a headset. IN PLAIN ENGLISH, HANDSFREE MEANS BOTH HANDS FREE, NOT ONE HAND. You also see people with their cell phones in front of their nose or mouth and yakking away.
What is penalty? piddly and that is why people are flaunting the law. I want the the CHP to be making more arrest, levy some hefty fines and the driver penalized with the points and all that would affect their car insurance. Putting on makeup in your car or eating a hamburger is also risky.
Why only cell phones when we are leaving in the world of iPods, PDA too. iPods are more dangerous because one has to use the dial to scroll up or down.
I am a safety officer of a big company and I have what I call “Electronic devices” policy where all devices and gadgets are covered.
If CHP will start citing the drivers for using the cell without handset, 23103, 23103a,23103 b Reckless driving/causing bodily injury, that will help some with our deficit and I rather prefer that then raising taxes.
I see the police officers do the same. They should only be exempted from the law in case of emergencies. I saw one cop talking on the phone and a big Gulp in the other hand and that was unsafe.
We should make laws that one can enforce and execute, do not make a joke of it by useless interpretations.
I am all for drivers who use their common sense and use a headset.
October 12th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
This topic shouldn’t even be debatable—OF COURSE people can’t text and drive safely at the same time. Two of the many problems with the U.S. now are the dumbing down of our culture, and the general abdication of personal responsibility, which essentially force the government to legislate behavior to protect us from ourselves…at least from texting government workers on the road. I hope all the States follow suit.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I’m back … just got done working. That’s right, working! I’m a 40 something that works hard. I drive 30,000+ miles a year, can text with only my thumb and without looking and the phone, and what do you know, haven’t had an accident in over a decade, or a ticket for that matter. I wonder how many that are against this really text. I text over 2,000 times a month and as much as 7,000. What’s that, oh wait, that’s right, it is easier to attack me or accuse me of being 12 than to focus on the fact that WE DON’T NEED MORE GOVERNMENT! I am sorry for those that have lost loved ones in accidents, I truly am. But texting isn’t illegal and I control my car while doing so. And to those that say we should keep both hands on the wheel, do you? I don’t know of a single adult that almost always or always keeps both hands on the wheel while driving. You know, radios are distracting, we should outlaw them. And so are kids, so let’s require a divider between all drivers and seats in which children under 18 sit so the driver can’t hear or see them. Wake up people, we didn’t have seat belts and we managed to live! The comment about insurance being the driving force of “public safety is right on. Having been an agent for a number of years, you are exactly right. Insurance companies are trying to save on claims and get their lobbyists to pass laws that reduce claims paid out. There are dozens of examples i.e.: seat belt laws to name one of dozens. And why do we have such a drinking and driving problem in this country with all our big brother laws and Europe has very little problems and few laws? Simple, the punishment matches. You lose your license for life! So why don’t we enforce the laws we have? What’s that, formulating another personal attack? I’d ask you to think about it first but that means you’d have to quite picking on those that don’t agree with you long enough to have an intellectually honest opinion! I bet that is an oxymoron!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Let me ask this, (yes, it is THAT Brad) do you really think we need more laws, or enforce the ones we have? And how long before technology provides a much better solution for staying connected without the distraction? And for those that want phones off when they are moving. What if I’m a passenger in the back, should I not be allowed to text? Or a passenger on a bus, or subway. REALLY, do we need another law? How many times has a victim of some kind been able to text or call for help while in a situation that incorporated movement? And if we are that scared of our roads, then why are we driving on them? Its a privilege right. So just say no! Don’t do it! I don’t like smoke in bars, so I don’t go in! Statistically, drivers under the age of 21 are more than 800% (its true, look it up!) more likely to have tickets or accidents. I think they should all be banned from the road until 25 when statistically they are only 200% more likely to break a law behind the wheel and jeopardize you are me! Seems reasonable to me. Then again, if they started driving at 12, by the time they hit 21 they would have plenty of experience!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
I’m growing increasingly weary of government legilating common sense whether it be mandatory seat belt use, air bags or cell phone use. Personally I cannot remain aware of my driving when I’m holding a cell phone to my ear. But I have no problem using certain types of hands free devices. A hands free device that broadcasts the incoming conversation over a speaker (or the in-vehicle radio speakers) is no more distracting than an “in-vehicle” radio which is something we all use; or conversing with a passenger (which we all do to some degree). A blue tooth headset is better than holding a phone to my ear but I still find myself concentrating heavily on what’s being said when the environment is noisy such as when I’m driving a truck but it works really well when I’m driving my car. The amount of noise in any driving environment will be a variable. My point being I know my own limitations and usually can find a satisfactory solution that works well. I sometimes find myself following too close to other vehicles when I’m feeling huried and that’s when I know I should leave more room than usual because I have the distraction of “feeling huried”. However, legislating a persons limitations isn’t the correct answer. If people aren’t going to use common sense and avoid the things they know could be dangerous while driving then they shouldn’t be driving. Whenever a global judgement is made it hurts us all because you simply can’t apply the same rules to every situation that can come up, so the situations where it really shouldn’t apply always creates gray areas. Personally, I think the whole “cell phone” issue is just rubbing some people the wrong way. Some people can’t stand to see someone talking on a cell phone even in a restaurant or a store. To some degree it’s a phobe of technology. So how far should the issue cell phone use go? Do we have to go hide in a corner somewhere to be able to use a cell phone? Or should we just ban cell phones altogher because they’re just too convienent and represent that ugly “technology” word? It’s no secret that some accidents are known to have been caused by the use of a cell phone. But blaming all accidents on that is ludicrous. Blaming rear-end collisions on cell phone use is ludicruous. Rear-end collisions are almost always caused by one thing….following too close and/or driving too fast and not having enough room to stop when necessary. It doesn’t matter if there was a distraction - it matters that one didn’t leave enough room between their vehicle and the vehicle in front taking into account all of the factors that cause distraction (heavy traffic, noise, children and YES CELL PHONES). So if one has a collision with the rear of the vehilce in front and if one happens to be on a cell phone at the time does that mean the use of cell phone actually caused the accident or was the idiot just following too close for the existing conditions and circumstances???
October 13th, 2009 at 6:24 am
ALL CELL PHONES, COMPUTERS, AND EATING SHOULD BE BANNED IN ALL STATES
October 13th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Wow, quite a thread going here!
I like what George Werkmeister says (and not only because of his fabulous name). Enforcement was exactly what my wife mentioned when I told her about the ban.
Regardless, it’s more of a safety policy than government enforcement…remember, Obama banned cell phone use in vehicles for GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, not the general public. This is no different than a CEO mandating for a company that they need to wear personal protective equipment when welding.
So why write programs, create policy, and reinforce through communication things we should already be doing through common sense? Statistics show that it does in fact lower the rate of incidents and accidents. I do safety training ANNUALLY on woodworking equipment (as I work for a furniture manufacturer) and it has shown positive results in our injury rates. Why don’t I just leave it as “people should know better than to stick their fingers into a tablesaw blade”? Because it still happens, and when I tell them not to, it happens LESS.
As Oscar says: leadership by example. This is a good move from Obaman.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I don’t approve of much the President has done (or proposed), but this rule being applied to Fed. employees makes sense,and is entirely appropriate. This is not a government run amok issue, this is an employer trying to protect its employees and avoid the liability that they will face if an employee causes a wreck by being irresponsible.
October 13th, 2009 at 8:44 am
It is obvious to all that texting while driving is dnagerous and irresponsible. It is also clear that Common Sense and concern for the welfare of others cannot be legislated. Yes Steve, they are that stupid, but unlike for example, making a decison whether or not to wear a motorcycle helmet, this decsion to text and drive endangers a lot of other people, so unless the consequences are personal the stupid will continue. The government does have an obligation to protect its citizens and we need their intervention sometimes
So make the “concern” a selfish one.
1 I agree with Peter. Give states a choice to pass legislation or not banning cell phone use while driving, but if they opt out, the risk losing federal highway funding
2. Police should be able to stop someone just for using a hand held cell while driving, not as secondary offense. Refusal to present phone to determine time of text communication should have same consequences as refusing a breathlizer
3. Impose a seriously deterrent fine for FIRST time offense, say $500.00 Second time is $1000. and license suspension and take the phone. Now that its about THEM perhaps it will give some of the idiots pause
October 13th, 2009 at 10:50 am
If anyone does not think cell phone use and texting is a hazard, please read the study done at Virginia Tech.
http://www.vtti.vt.edu/PDF/7-22-09-VTTI-Press_Release_Cell_phones_and_Driver_Distraction.pdf
I do not like the idea of big government and more regulation. But, driving on public roads is not a right, it is a privilege granted by the state. State and federal government can and should regulate use of public roads to protect the public using them.
If anyone feels they are capable of texting and driving, feel free to drive on your private property and do so. If you are on publicly funded roads, adhere to the regulations or don’t drive.
The real issue is enforcement. How to make people stop texting and driving.
I ride a motorcycle most days and defensive driving is a way of life for me. Nearly every time I see weaving or bad driving, a cell phone is being held to the drivers head or they are using (texting?) thier phone.
Thank you Mr. President.
October 13th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Since it has now been determined that driving while texting is worse than driving while drunk, it would seem like a no-brainer to ban this irresponsible practice. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who don’t use common sense and who don’t seem to care if they cause physical and property damage to another person through their irresponsible actions. If people would always do the right thing, we wouldn’t need laws. But they don’t.
I personally don’t think a person who is driving a vehicle should be doing much more than driving. It’s too easy to make mistakes or do something stupid even when people are paying attention. If they’re not watching what they’re doing, the potential for a deadly or devastating error is greatly increased. I pay attention and try to drive defensively, but sometimes you just can’t get out of the way fast enough to keep from getting hit. I have a torn rotator cuff from being rear-ended by an inattentive jerk who was following too close. He’s fine. I’m the one paying the price and that is infuriating.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
First, I would like to encourage everyone to keep your comments civil. Brad’s main point was to increase penalties for those causing an accident while texting. There’s no need to be mean-spirited in this forum.
It would be better for insurance companies to issue moratoriums on payouts for accidents where the driver was texting while driving. That would end or greatly reduce the amount of texting people do while behind the wheel. Graphic videos help drive the point home, too.
And please don’t post a comment that is a rehash of your prior comment just so you can have the last word on this. We all know what your point was.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I am a Safety Officer , Volunteer EMT , Defensive Driving Instructor and most of all a concerned parent of three young adults that are very important in my life. I can not begin to tell you of the number of times I have responded to motor vehicle accidents over the last few years that have resulted because of inattentive drivers trying to respond to the phone texting. You have no idea what it feels like to come upon the mangled body of a teen or anyone in that manner because someone is being careless.
Driving fatalities caused by texting might soon increase to a level that they may surpass the statistics for driving under the influence if voters and legislators do not step up and make rules and restrictions to save lives.
For those of you who think they can so call “Multi Task on the Phone while driving” I have one piece of advice….DON’T TEXT and DRIVE!!!!! Wake up and “Smell the Roses” before you, someone you love or someone else at your expense may be “Pushing Up Daisies”.
The New York Times recently posted a computer game to show what happens when typical driving distractions are combined with trying to send text messages. I encourage those who think they can text and drive to take the challenge in the safety of their home. When you’re done, you’ll see how much slower your reaction time was while texting compared to the average driver.
Note: Regardless of your results, experts say, don’t attempt to text while driving. Go to the following link in your home computer to try it out
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/19/technology/20090719-driving-game.html?nl=technology&emc=techupdateemb2
The National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) business and industry member ZoomSafer is currently testing a simple tool that you download on your phone that turns on when you hit 10mph and prevents calls and messages from coming in or being sent. Calls go directly to voice mail and text messages receive a response notification that you are driving and will respond later. NOYS executive director Sandy Spavone has been part of the Beta testing group and states, “The best part about installing ZoomSafer on my phone has been the fact that the decision not to talk and drive or text and drive is made before the phone rings or the text tone signals an incoming e-mail or text. It is not a decision I have to make while driving and ZoomSafer has definitely helped me to personally make the choice to drive focused.”
Some may consider this a bit too much but if you focus on the big picture you can realize that an unattentive driver can be someone carelessly in LACK of control of a 4000+ pounds of metal death machine.
I applaud the President for his efforts in addressing this issue and to all others who follow his lead. In the long run we as tax payers will be joining his effort to help save lives, property, insurance premiums, making our roads safer and taxes.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
There is quite a lag time between posts being made and actually getting posted. For that, I apologize, because I posted in response of about 8-9 posts ago, lol.
Regardless, Judy needs to be quoted, this is my favorite thing I’ve read in a month:
“…unless the consequences are personal the stupid will continue.”
Great stuff!
October 13th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
The other day, while stopped at a red light, I decided to see what the percentage rate was of drivers engaged in phone conversations. I came up with (approximately) 35%. What did we ever do before we had cell phones? We waited until the appropriate time. Nothing is that important!
October 13th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I think that Brad had a very valid point. I mean granted doing anything while driving could potentially end up deadly, that doesnt mean that it will. If you have your kids in the car with you, youre attention isnt fully on the road. Its split between making sure they are behaving, making sure that they are alright, watching the road, watching for signs, watching for pedestrians.. So should driving with kids be banned?
ANYTHING that one does while driving can possibly be dangerous. Thats why one has to go through courses to obtain a license. If people are so against driving and texting why not put money into a program that trains people how to text and drive. Make a law where individuals under the age of 18 or 21 are not permitted to text, or talk on a phone while driving. That would reduce the accidents that Chip was talking about. If we are going to outlaw texting, we had better outlaw radios, children, make-up, shaving, eating, all road signs, etc. Because afterall, all of those are distracting to drivers. Someone could be reading a sign, come over to far to the next lane, and take out another car…
October 13th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
It is also up to the other drivers on the road to be aware, and attentive. Its up to everyone on the road to be safe. Not just the “young people” or the “old people”… Its everyones job to be safe, attentive, aware, and in control.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Brad and Amber raise good points. For that matter, all points raised here are relevant, but isn’t the crux of the discussion: “Should we change unsafe behavior (specifically in this thread-texting while driving)?” and since the majority obviously think we should change behavior: “How do we change unsafe behavior?”
I disagree with those of you who believe the individual has rights that supercede the rights of the public when it is abundantly clear a behavior, like texting, is a hazard to the public at large. Many laws exist and are enforced that protect the public’s right to be protected against unsafe behavior-seat belt and helmet laws reduce injury to the individual, but they also benefit the public who must in one way or another pay for those injuries. Likewise DUIs clearly put the public at risk, and laws are in place to protect the public from those risks. There are times when government is forced to step in because the actions of a few, like Brad, put the rest of us in harm’s way. It is Pollyannish to argue all government intervention is inherently bad. If individuals acted with a social conscience, we wouldn’t need government.
I think the more interesting question is how does the public protect itself from mature adults and others in its population who clearly think they can defy the odds and text while driving safely? Why does someone 40 years old, who has worked in the insurance business, drives 30,000 miles a year, and texts up to 7,000 times a month think their driving record for the last 10 years is relevant to their future driving experience? The statistics are clear-they, and the rest of us, have been extraordinarily lucky! What can the public, either as individuals or as a government do to drive home the point that the risks associated with texting and driving do not outweigh the benefits of texting and driving. Particularly since we long ago demonstrated our inability to drive responsibly and empowered government to protect us on the roads from ourselves!
October 13th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Make that: “What can the public, either as individuals or as a government do to drive home the point that the risks associated with texting and driving outweigh the benefits of texting and driving?”
October 14th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Two hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times, Is that not the law in every state?
October 14th, 2009 at 10:40 am
My response to Kevin is this:
Can you honestly say that you have had BOTH hands on the wheel EVERY time you get behind the wheel. My guess, (strictly guess) is no. The thing with this country is that it is so narrow mindes asa whole. I know that I am a biased citizen, (Seeing as I am 21 years old, soon to be 22) on alot of the matters raised here. I know that I am a driver that everyone hates to be around due to my road rage, and I do try to control it. I am my own hypocrite. I get mad when individuals are not driving safely. IE Texting while driving, eating while driving, talking on the phone while driving… etc. the list could go on forever. The issue of texting while driving will be an ongoing battle. No matter what laws, guidelines, whatever are implemented, there are always going to be people doing it. Just like driving drunk… not using both hands while behind the wheel, putting on makeup, dealing with the kids… This is why we need parents, police officers, and the average citizen to step up to the plate…
The biggest question here will be, Why should everyone be punished for something that only a few people have done? (Accident wise) I mean if they really want to get into it, Why not ban everyone from driving after 11pm, and before 5am? Thats when alot of the drunks are out. Why not ban bars from serving more than 2 or 3 drinks per person per night? Have some sort of system that you have to run your license through so no matter what bar you go to, they see how many you have already had? Its about the same idiocracy that we are debating here. Theres no way to stop it, there are just ways to reduce the amount of people doing it.
October 14th, 2009 at 11:59 am
It seems to me we’re not talking about something that can be distracting, like a radio or kids. While those do sometimes contribute to accidents, they don’t rise to the level of driving drunk. And texting while driving is worse than driving drunk, whether you’re young or old. So if we’re going to try to protect innocent drivers from those who do things that have a high probability of causing devastating accidents, why would texting not be included in that category?
If people putting on their makeup causes accidents at the rate that drinking and driving does or that texting while driving does, then it should be illegal too. Most people don’t do that. Responsible people certainly don’t. But things that impair safe driving to the level of driving drunk need to be illegal so innocent people don’t have to be subjected to that elevated level of risk. (The only two things I’m aware of that are this risky are driving drunk and texting while driving. Haven’t heard about any others. Has anyone?)
We can’t totally eliminate risk, but we certainly need to deal with highly elevated risk. And since some people won’t act responsibly on their own, laws have to be passed to spell it out and give authorities the ability to penalize those who defy the law and put the rest of us at risk.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
If texting while driving only endangered the people doing it, then I would say go ahead and text yourself off a cliff, but it doesn’t, it affects everyone else on the road when they are not paying attention. When I drive with my 18 month old daughter, I am extremely defensive in my driving. More than once I have had to honk my horn to alert another driver that they are weaving into my lane… and I can see them dialing away on their cell.
When it affects other people safety, thats when we as a nation, state, county, whatever, need to step in and intervene. Texting while driving should be lillegal. I don’t want to live in a nanny state either but I also don’t want to lose my daughter to some @ss rear ending me cuz they were texting.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Amber A
I agree with you, I do not keep both hands on the wheel or my eyes on the road at all times, and I am in agreement with most everything you said but the point I was trying to make was : there is all this discusion about the danger of texting while driving, I think we all agree it is dangerous regardless of who is doing it, and there are laws in place which discourage it, but the bottom line is we all need to be aware of the risks involved and responsible enough to know when and where is it warranted and reasonably safe to be texting or anything else while driving, too many people refuse to take responsibility for they’re irresponsible actions in this country we all bend the rules but we all dont live up to our mistakes.
October 15th, 2009 at 10:48 am
The thing is though… Its not up to everyone else to not hit you.. Its also up to you not to get hit.. Thats where defensive driving comes into play.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:45 am
I understand that most of us here like to be told what to do. That does not change the fact that this is the purpose of government. To make and enforce saftey regulations (among other things). Texting while driving is reckless no matter how good you think you are. Each and every time you make the choice to pick up that phone and text or talk you should think is it worth some one else’s life. Also I have noticed that people are comparing driving and texting to having children in the car. We have been driving with kids in the cars for years. I see no wave of deaths as a result of this. I do see the rise in vehicle accidents related to use of the mobile phone. We need to quit being so defensive and think about the hard facts. The fact is that phone use while driving is dangerous. The sad part is that most people won’t stop till it hits home. Then they want to crusade about it. Instead of listening to the facts.
Perfect example, Just yesterday whild picking up my kids a man drove into my lane. He didnt even see me. My daughter said “not nice mommy that man is on the phone” He could have cost me my daughters life. When my phone rang, Instead of answering it I let it ring. I would hate to take somone else away from their family because I just had to answer that phone.
So please do not talk and text on the phone for my saftey and the saftey of my kids.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I agree with it being unsafe. But alot of what we (as a nation) are doing in our everyday lives. I do know that texting and driving is a dangerous thing to do… A long time ago, before texting and cell phones were such a popular method of communication, my brother was on the freeway. a dump truck came over into his lane, not knowing that he was there. His choices were crash into a cement barrier, or be careemed by the truck. he chose the wall. It totaled the car, and he came out of the accident with only a couple minor scratches. Now i know that its not totally relevant to the topic, but the truck driver was not texting or on his phone at the time. Neither was my brother. I think we all forget that if theres going to be an accident, it will happen regardless. Granted there are things that we can do to prevent them, and prevent such a horrible accident, but like ive mentioned already… no matter what the circumstances… Drunk driving or texting whil driving, people are going to do what they want regardless of the law.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
He also had another choice, braking! Hopefully the people behind him are at a safe following distance to avoid a rear end collision. In my opinion almost every accident is avoidable. For example, I stay away from the side of big trucks since I know they have a lot of blind spots. I slow down and stay behind or speed up and get around them. I prefer to get ahead of them to avoid a chipped windshield or stay waaaay behind. More people need to practice defensive driving techniques and more time shouild be spent on this in driver education courses.
October 18th, 2009 at 12:49 am
Although I do not think people should text while driving, we do
October 18th, 2009 at 12:51 am
sorry about that…
anyways, I do not think it needs to be a law. it’s just one more part of our life the goverment gets to dictate. lets focus more on the real criminals.
October 19th, 2009 at 8:58 am
While what Amber says is true (that people will still do what they are going to do regardless of the law), this does not mean we shouldn’t have laws in place to protect innocent people. Murder is illegal, but people still do it. However, we should NOT legalize murder just because some people break the law. The law is in place so those who do things that are not safe or that hurt others can be contained or restricted so they won’t hurt others again (hopefully).
We will never be able to legislate accidents out of existence. That’s not the reason we have laws. They are supposed to guide our behavior…and for the majority of people, they are probably unnecessary to a large degree. But for those who are careless, who don’t regard others and who don’t act responsibly, laws at least allow some penalty to be levied.
I still believe any behavior that elevates the risk of an accident to the level of driving drunk should be illegal. As some have said, it’s the innocent people who get hurt the most. If the only one who suffered loss or damage was the person doing something risky, I wouldn’t care. But I don’t want to have to suffer for someone’s selfish risky actions, their stupidity, or their lack of concern for others. I drive defensively, but you can’t always avoid getting hit by another vehicle. While accidents will always happen because people are error prone, we need to do what we can to minimize high risk behavior while driving. That means things like texting and driving drunk should be banned.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Texting and driving is a deadly combination. Zero Fatalities recently put out a 15-minute video on this topic. It’s very powerful and is a great teaching tool. Check it out! http://www.zerofatalities.com
October 20th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Im not saying that we should not have any laws jsut because people are breaking them… but what i am saying is that no matter what, its never going to stop. So we as responsible drivers need to be more alert while driving. I must say that i havent texted and drove in about 3 months, for the sole fact that my phone doesnt work anymore… but when i do text and drive, i dont do it in bumper to bumper traffic… i make sure that there arent many people around me, that way if i do wreck, i dont take anyone with me. Its a safer way of doing something unsafe.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
For newer phones, there are some nice applications you can “test drive”, pun intended
http://www.drivesafe.ly/
http://www.zoomsafer.com
Both disable the phone when you reach 10mph or faster, and autoreply the sender letting them know you are traveling and will respond asap. I believe this is the way to curb this dangerous practice, not more laws like many here have stated.
October 20th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
You and Brad have a lot in common. What did you do before “texting” was invented? If you don’t text now because your phone is broken, why would you text when/if it is fixed? What could be THAT important?
October 21st, 2009 at 9:31 am
Family. My grandmother was dying of leukemia.. it was the easiest way to get ahold of me. She finally passed away.. I say finally because she was suffering. Also my dad works alot, so when hes in meetings, its alot easier. I bought my own phone in 2006. I never had one before.. What did i do then? I was busy with softball and school. Now its only work. And i never texted all the time. It was only when i needed to. The ONLY reasont hat i got a cell phone was due to the fact that my mom and dad live out of state and when i want to go see them.. I want to know that i have a means of communication when i am on the road. (They live 4 hours away).. In case of emergency…. Then a whole bunch of family issues came up.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:45 am
Amber A,
Creating laws to control our activities isn’t going to stop it but it will cut down on that activity taking place. It’s not just the law but the awareness that there is a problem so the law is coupled by peer pressure.
Another thing that is cause for concern is your mentioning driving where if you got into an accident it’s only you that is involved. That is never the case. If you get into an accident it will involve a lot of people. Before I get into that I want to point out that it only takes one split second to change your entire situation. It only takes that one split second for that car to come out of no where and you run into them because you thought it was safe enough to send a text, or to even look at they key pad to dial a number. It only takes one split second for an animal to run out in front of you and your entire reaction time is taken away because you had your eyes diverted to somewhere else instead of the road.
Now back to only you getting hurt if only you were involved in the accident. That is a false assumption. When ever you get into an accident it almost always involves other people that have to pay the costs other then just you. While you’re laid up on disability, that is if you weren’t killed, your family members will have to pick up the slack on the responsibilities that would ordinarily be handled by you. Your co-workers will have to take on the responsibilities on top of their own responsibilities, that would ordinarily be done by you.
If you are killed, your nearest relatives will have the pleasure of inheriting any debts you’ve accumulated and have to pay them off.
All the while, when all these people are taking care of these responsibilities that came about because you had an accident that was your fault, they will all resent you for it. Outwardly they will show you sympathy but inwardly they will resent you and think of you as being stupid for allowing that accident from happening in the first place.
Very few people ever consider the hidden costs associated with their actions.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:18 am
However there are alot of things that are wrong with you comment. Some right, some not so right.
Just because i am in an accident doesnt nessicarily (sp) mean that i have to be on disability, or that i am going to die… With animals… Youre not supposed to swerve to miss them anyways… As it was taught to me in my drivers ed course. And unless that has changed in the last 5 years… People should be help accountable for their actions. I whole heartedly agree. There have been timed where i was driving, looked at a sign for a split second to see what it said, and dang near hit someone that was in front of me.. Why did i almost do it.. Cause they slammed on their brakes right before their turn, and didnt have their turn signal on. That would have been my fault.. but how is that fair? I didnt hit them though… when i do text, i DO NOT look at the screen. I have had enough practice texting before i was driving, that i could do it without looking.
I find this whole subject very amusing due to the fact that the media picks one issue to really focus on… Rape one year, murders another, texting and driving another, the catholic faith another… etc.. I would almost guarentee that in a year, or two… this will be like nothing.. regardless of weather or not we have a law to enforce it or not… something new and more “exciting” will happen, and that will take the spotlight.
October 21st, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Amber B, we understand that the Exec order signed by the President band Text for Federal emp, including military. We also understand that laws are not design to prevent inappropate activity, but to punish it. Just like the law against Rape, Murder, Theft, Racial Profiling, discrimination, ect, it still happens everyday, right? Just like we know that Text will happen everyday. Of respect for you, and your youth, I ask you, please don’t be nieve, Texting while driving is dangerous. , The President, Military, UPS company, and many others in the trucking industry also realize it, and has band it for their drivers. I hope for you also, that no one runs into you WHILE THEY ARE TEXTING, AND YOU ARE DRIVING. because texting happens everyday, and will continue to happen EVERYDAY….Take Care. Joe
October 21st, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Amber,
There is nothing wrong with my comment. I am right on target.
My comment is not meant to be a direct attack on you, so don’t take it that way. I’m pointing out reason for concern and it applies to everybody.
First off, if you were to get into an accident, anything can happen. It can range from no harm to dead. You can get killed in a collision at 35 MPH.
Talking on a cell phone takes 85% of your attention away from the road. That means that while talking on the phone and looking straight ahead, you are forgetting to check your mirrors when changing lanes, looking around you and it reduces your ability to recognize danger quickly.
The 85% is not my figure, nor is it anything I’ve heard over the media, it is what they are teaching in traffic school.
October 21st, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Ok. My apologies.
I dont know how they get their facts… But i know for a fact that I use mirrors, regardless of weather or not I am on the phone… I know that I do not account for everyone, however; There are people out there who can be responsible in the way they text/talk and drive.
October 21st, 2009 at 11:04 pm
This will only make things worse… Now instead of people texting with the cells in their line of vision,
they will hide the phone by their thighs as to avoid being seen by a cop. This will cause them to look
down lower than usual, hence… wrecking more frequently.
The solution could be simple… ATT, TMO, Verizon..etc… they know how fast a cell is traveling with
tricks as triangulation and GPS. They should simply de-activate texting when the cell is moving.
I understand that passengers in a car, train, bus etc may be bored out of their minds… but a boring
commute could save many people.. Just a thought.
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 am
John F. Kennedy was allegedly capable of reading and article, talk about something else, write information on a different topic and listen to information about a different subject all at the same time.
I’ve only heard about this in my Government Class in High School 30 years ago.
I’ve never met anyone like that.
I can’t look at someone and determine from appearances that a person is capable of multitasking successfully. There are too many people that look normal on the outside but are a wreck inside. Then you have people that are slobs in appearance but incredibly organized.
There are people that can successfully drive and talk on the phone with no trouble of one interfering with the other. But there are a lot of people out there driving that cannot.
The law can’t differentiate who is competent and who isn’t. The idea is to protect everybody so the laws and regulations have to apply to everybody.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Wish I had happened upon this blog sooner, but here goes: WOW - you guys sure put the government down for wanting to ‘legislate’ and ‘regulate’ COMMON SENSE - well, they need to!!! Take a look around, folks. Do you see many people using ANY common sense? I certainly don’t - I am beginning to wonder just what percentage even have common sense. It is intangible and cannot be taught, therefore, if we must put rules and regs into place to control what should be ‘known’ - then so be it. I do not take this as a violation of my ‘rights’ - I have sense enough not to text while driving anyway and wish others wouldn’t - because when they do, THEY are taking away my rights - my right to feel safe on the road, my right not to have to drive defensively, my right to drive without one eye on their vehicle at all times wondering whether they are going to swerve into my car or run a stop sign or red light. As Robert says on October 22nd - The law can’t differentiate who is competent and who isn’t. The idea is to protect everybody, so the laws and regs have to apply to everyone. Kudo’s to Robert - he has the common sense to see why this is necessary.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
It is impossible to drive safely while texting.
December 31st, 2009 at 11:02 am
[...] Obama bans texting while driving [...]
January 7th, 2010 at 1:25 am
Both sets of circumstances (Text Ban while driving and a possible text ban while walking) already are in direct violation to several existing federal laws. These state bans passed as laws are already rendered illegal due to not being in direct compliance to federal laws.
Such a ban on texting cannot be implemented without a total ban on voice communication because people with disabilities who use texting as an accessible accommodation in both personal and professional communication due to laws such as the ADA, Telecommunications Act of 1996, Telephone Act of 1934, etc.
Those who cannot use voice due to disability use text messaging, instant messaging, and emailing as their alternative accommodation.
Such bans were done in past history such as the Milan Conference of 1880 where they banned sign language and the Eugenics War against Deaf and Hard of Hearing people were done. During this war, the hearing population purposefully separated Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals from marrying each other in attempt to extinguish the disability. This is no different than Hitler who had six million Jews killed during World War II.
A national Class Action lawsuit against the US Government is in consideration due to current bans in 19 states (so far) that directly violate federal law. This is to attempt to prevent Eugenics War II in our country.
Source: http://deafness.about.com/cs/featurearticles/a/milan1880.htm