Illegal to text while driving

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:53 pm

I don't think I've ever written a text message while driving, but I can say that a ban like this wouldn't stop me from doing so, should I ever feel the need. How on Earth do they think they will be able to enforce this?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/techn ... .html?_r=1

Senators Seek a Ban on Texting and Driving

States that do not ban texting by drivers could forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway funds under legislation introduced Wednesday in the Senate.

Under the measure, states would have two years to outlaw the sending of text and e-mail messages by drivers or lose 25 percent of their highway money each year until the money was depleted.

“Studies show this is far more dangerous than talking on a phone while driving or driving while drunk, which is astounding,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, one of four Democratic senators to introduce the proposal.

Mr. Schumer said the authors were responding to recent studies that have begun to quantify the risks of texting while driving. One study released this week from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that truck drivers face a 23 times greater risk of crash or near crash when texting than when not doing so.

Research from the University of Utah, which used a driving simulator to study the ability of motorists to multitask, found an eightfold greater risk of crashing when texting. By comparison, Utah researchers showed that drivers using a cellphone to talk face a four times greater risk of crashing, about equal to someone with a 0.08 blood alcohol level, generally the legal limit for intoxication

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:03 pm

There's no way to enforce this. Just another BS scheme to get money from people.

Most of the police force prolly isn't even young enough to be tech savvy enough to know for sure. I could be activating the voice dial on my phone and get yanked for this. How would I prove to some old geezer that can barely program a VCR that my iPhone voice dials?

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:05 pm

Worse still is texting while driving drunk. -drinking

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:48 pm

Maybe it's just to remind people how dumb and reckless it is to do this! Let's add: Putting on makeup, reading a book, looking at a map, getting dressed, shaving . . . this list goes on.

If we could just outlaw MORONS the road would be a lot safer.

My 2 cents

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:17 pm

I live in California. This law is a good law.

When you get behind the wheel of a car. You may not realize that you have the power to kill. You are now behind a killing machine. In the blink of an eye you could kill yourself or someone else.

Any fool who texts or uses a cell phone while driving is just an irresponsible person. Either is ignorant to the fact or just has no regard for other peoples safety or well being.
Everytime you decide to text or pick up a cell phone while driving you are saying F U to the driver next to you or behind you. Quite frankly I do not appreciate it at all.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:08 pm

You have clearly missed the point, oh great "conservative" hamo.
Fine. Make laws. Ban texting while driving... I actually back such a law in my state. I support seat belt laws on the state level... and oppose federal intrusions into that, as well.

Unfortunately, once again, we are looking at the Federal Government overstepping it's Constitutional authority, as defined very clearly by the Tenth Amendment.

The Federal Government has no authority to extort the states into creating these laws... This is another example of Liberals usurping State and individual rights and authority that is delineated by the Constitution. That is the problem, AND the point. Every time the Feds do something like this to "protect us" they steal a little freedom... that they don't have the right to.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 7:49 am

They most certainly can enforce it…most law enforcement agency now run a cell phone check after a accident to see if you were texting around the time of the accident…Like the train that crashed…they knew he was, because his last text was "HOLY .........."

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:09 am

HEROHAMO wrote:I live in California. This law is a good law.

I live in Maryland. This is a bad law.

When you get behind the wheel of a car. You may not realize that you have the power to kill. You are now behind a killing machine. In the blink of an eye you could kill yourself or someone else.

Any fool who texts or uses a cell phone while driving is just an irresponsible person. Either is ignorant to the fact or just has no regard for other peoples safety or well being.

OK, let's grant that all of this is true. Let me add that daydreaming is just as much, if not more, of an accident-causer than simply talking on the cell phone. [Edit: Cappster adds eating, which is another great example.] When you aren't paying attention to the road, very bad things can happen. We've all had the experience of "waking up" just as an accident almost occurred.

So let me ask you this. Suppose there were some device that could scan the brain of the driver to make sure he/she was paying attention to the road. Once you were daydreaming deeply enough or for more than a few seconds, it would trigger and send your information to the cops, so that you could be fined and/or prosecuted (or put in prison, etc.).

Would you support a law that mandated such devices be placed in everyone's car?

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:11 am

Why don't think they focus on making laws that, I don't know, maybe something that doesn't take more money out of everyone's pockets. I text and drive so what? I also eat while I drive so lets ban that too. Lets also ban radios, wives, and babies from cars cause they all are distractions too.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:16 am

NC43Hog wrote:Maybe it's just to remind people how dumb and reckless it is to do this! Let's add: Putting on makeup, reading a book, looking at a map, getting dressed, shaving . . . this list goes on.

If we could just outlaw MORONS the road would be a lot safer.

The problem is that if people are morons, and people are the ones trying to ban the morons from the road. . . .

Can you imagine the Decider being the one who makes that call? :shock:

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:58 am

Irn-Bru wrote:
HEROHAMO wrote:I live in California. This law is a good law.

I live in Maryland. This is a bad law.

When you get behind the wheel of a car. You may not realize that you have the power to kill. You are now behind a killing machine. In the blink of an eye you could kill yourself or someone else.

Any fool who texts or uses a cell phone while driving is just an irresponsible person. Either is ignorant to the fact or just has no regard for other peoples safety or well being.

OK, let's grant that all of this is true. Let me add that daydreaming is just as much, if not more, of an accident-causer than simply talking on the cell phone. [Edit: Cappster adds eating, which is another great example.] When you aren't paying attention to the road, very bad things can happen. We've all had the experience of "waking up" just as an accident almost occurred.

So let me ask you this. Suppose there were some device that could scan the brain of the driver to make sure he/she was paying attention to the road. Once you were daydreaming deeply enough or for more than a few seconds, it would trigger and send your information to the cops, so that you could be fined and/or prosecuted (or put in prison, etc.).

Would you support a law that mandated such devices be placed in everyone's car?

I don't think I'll have to worry about that scenario in my lifetime.

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:14 am

VetSkinsFan wrote:
Irn-Bru wrote:
HEROHAMO wrote:I live in California. This law is a good law.

I live in Maryland. This is a bad law.

When you get behind the wheel of a car. You may not realize that you have the power to kill. You are now behind a killing machine. In the blink of an eye you could kill yourself or someone else.

Any fool who texts or uses a cell phone while driving is just an irresponsible person. Either is ignorant to the fact or just has no regard for other peoples safety or well being.

OK, let's grant that all of this is true. Let me add that daydreaming is just as much, if not more, of an accident-causer than simply talking on the cell phone. [Edit: Cappster adds eating, which is another great example.] When you aren't paying attention to the road, very bad things can happen. We've all had the experience of "waking up" just as an accident almost occurred.

So let me ask you this. Suppose there were some device that could scan the brain of the driver to make sure he/she was paying attention to the road. Once you were daydreaming deeply enough or for more than a few seconds, it would trigger and send your information to the cops, so that you could be fined and/or prosecuted (or put in prison, etc.).

Would you support a law that mandated such devices be placed in everyone's car?

I don't think I'll have to worry about that scenario in my lifetime.

Actually, they already have a device installed in some cars that sounds an alert when the driver's eyes close for more than a second to prevent people from falling asleep at the wheel. They are making strides in auto-pilot technology too, so I-B's scenario might not be that far off.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:58 am

Deadskins wrote:
VetSkinsFan wrote:
Irn-Bru wrote:
HEROHAMO wrote:I live in California. This law is a good law.

I live in Maryland. This is a bad law.

When you get behind the wheel of a car. You may not realize that you have the power to kill. You are now behind a killing machine. In the blink of an eye you could kill yourself or someone else.

Any fool who texts or uses a cell phone while driving is just an irresponsible person. Either is ignorant to the fact or just has no regard for other peoples safety or well being.

OK, let's grant that all of this is true. Let me add that daydreaming is just as much, if not more, of an accident-causer than simply talking on the cell phone. [Edit: Cappster adds eating, which is another great example.] When you aren't paying attention to the road, very bad things can happen. We've all had the experience of "waking up" just as an accident almost occurred.

So let me ask you this. Suppose there were some device that could scan the brain of the driver to make sure he/she was paying attention to the road. Once you were daydreaming deeply enough or for more than a few seconds, it would trigger and send your information to the cops, so that you could be fined and/or prosecuted (or put in prison, etc.).

Would you support a law that mandated such devices be placed in everyone's car?

I don't think I'll have to worry about that scenario in my lifetime.

Actually, they already have a device installed in some cars that sounds an alert when the driver's eyes close for more than a second to prevent people from falling asleep at the wheel. They are making strides in auto-pilot technology too, so I-B's scenario might not be that far off.

That's leaps and bounds different than what I-B's suggesting. And even when the technology is available, then it has to be inexpensive enough to be able to mass produce and distrubite to the general public.

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:07 am

My point is it doesn't have to be a brain-scanning device to achieve the same purpose. Seat belts used to be optional in cars because the manufacturers didn't want to add the expense. Same with air-bags. If it is mandated, then they will be produced, and the expense passed on to the car-buying public.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:13 am

And my point is whether such technology is feasible in 5 years or 50 is somewhat irrelevant. What's right and what's wrong? What's virtuous and what's harmful?

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:18 am

How about smoking while driving?

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:30 am

Cappster wrote:How about smoking while driving?

I love smoking while I'm driving. And yes, it does require taking one's eyes off the road for a moment or two here and there. . . 8-[

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:32 am

Irn-Bru wrote:
Cappster wrote:How about smoking while driving?
I love smoking while I'm driving. And yes, it does require taking one's eyes off the road for a moment or two here and there. . .

Depends on what you are smoking. :shock:

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:13 am

Irn-Bru wrote:
HEROHAMO wrote:I live in California. This law is a good law.

I live in Maryland. This is a bad law.

When you get behind the wheel of a car. You may not realize that you have the power to kill. You are now behind a killing machine. In the blink of an eye you could kill yourself or someone else.

Any fool who texts or uses a cell phone while driving is just an irresponsible person. Either is ignorant to the fact or just has no regard for other peoples safety or well being.

OK, let's grant that all of this is true. Let me add that daydreaming is just as much, if not more, of an accident-causer than simply talking on the cell phone. [Edit: Cappster adds eating, which is another great example.] When you aren't paying attention to the road, very bad things can happen. We've all had the experience of "waking up" just as an accident almost occurred.

So let me ask you this. Suppose there were some device that could scan the brain of the driver to make sure he/she was paying attention to the road. Once you were daydreaming deeply enough or for more than a few seconds, it would trigger and send your information to the cops, so that you could be fined and/or prosecuted (or put in prison, etc.).

Would you support a law that mandated such devices be placed in everyone's car?

Daydreaming, no, I wouldn't support it. I can agree with your line of thinking, though. The human mind is a very complex organ and it has many levels of consciousness. This simple "daydreaming" label (if it can be even monitored with such exactness) is not usually intentional and I wouldn't label it as a crime. You can't always control if your mind wanders from a mundane task, which driving can be if you're behind hte wheel a significant amount of time. If there were some sort of way to 'refocus' their attention to the task at hand, then maybe yes.

Again, I highly doubt that we're anywhere close to this type of technology being available to the general public and wouldn't have given it much thought, just like I'm not really concerned with primary transportation being teleportation, since there's a really good chance I won't encounter it.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 11:48 am

Capster says:

I text and drive so what?

What a completely irresponsible viewpoint.
:roll:

ChocolateMilk · Post by **ChocolateMilk** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:05 pm

Countertrey wrote:Capster says:
I text and drive so what?

What a completely irresponsible viewpoint.

well so do i, but i have a keyboard on my phone. I type with one hand while i steer with the other and i dont take my eyes off the road, until i check to see if i type everything correctly. It takes the same amount of time as changing CDs or getting a cigerette.

I'm just tired of VA trying to screw her citizens out of their hard earned money because she is going bankrupt.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:20 pm

Let's just pretend that there is no evidence that texting creates 28 times the risk of an accident than driving with a BAL of 0.08, shall we? Though, I'm sure, texters will just continue to deny...

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:24 pm

Research carried out on young drivers (aged 17-24) using a simulator found that reaction time slowed by 35% when they were writing or reading text messages while driving. In comparison, reaction time deteriorated by 21% for those under the influence of cannabis, and by 12% at the legal alcohol limit.

Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) -- which carried out the study for the RAC Foundation -- also found that steering control worsened by 91% for those who were distracted by texts, compared to 35% when cannabis was involved.

I'm wondering how they got those cannabis and alcohol (for the 17-20 year-olds) numbers?

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:39 pm

I think research institutions like and their subjects get immunity. You see studies now and then that cite how cocaine affects performance in X field. . .

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:44 pm

Irn-Bru wrote:I think research institutions like and their subjects get immunity. You see studies now and then that cite how cocaine affects performance in X field. . .

Need to start a research institution, and study the effects of illegal activity on my daily life. :idea: