States Consider Another Ban: Driving While Texting

Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:24PM EDT

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In my very dense state of New Jersey, legislators are considering yet another ban during driving. This time it's not just talking on cell phones, it's texting. And unlike talking on cell phones, which can only be cited by a police officer if he pulls you over for another infraction, officers would be able to pull drivers over specifically for texting if they spot them doing it while driving many miles per hour.

Drivers caught texting would be fined between $100 and $250, according to the bill that has 20 co-sponsors in both parties.

New Jersey is not alone on this one. At least three other states, including Washington, Arizona, and Connecticut, are considering similar legislation. Washington's state House passed a bill after a December pileup on a Seattle highway that police say was caused by a driver texting on a BlackBerry.

I'm sure most of us are guilty of talking on cell phones while driving, even if you live in a state where it is banned. Yet studies show again and again, it's a dangerous thing to do. And there's no difference if you're using a hands-free device; it's the brain activity that counts. Researchers have found talking on the phone while driving cuts the driver's brain activity in half in the areas of the brain needed to notice what's happening around him on the road.

So just imagine what happens to brain activity when a driver is focusing on punching out letters with his thumbs while driving on a highway or local roads. Yikes. I don't think another law is going to dissuade wired drivers from texting, but maybe more stories like the one about a Denver teen who accidentally killed a 63-year bicyclist while texting on his phone will. Patrick Sims, the remorseful high school senior, told CBS News in the fall: "I think about this car accident every single day of my life."

Admit it: Do you text on your cell phones while driving? If so, what will take you to stop—a law, a devastating accident, or, how about this, common sense?

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  • 6 Posted by evilsmilie34 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I haven't texted while DRIVING, however I have while waiting for a light, or just stuck in traffic. I try to avoid answering my cell while driving, or if I do pick up I'll tell them I'll call them back. I don't understand the people that absolutely can't wait to talk to someone.

  • 7 Posted by jim_cubbage on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    It is bad enough that people feel the need to talk on a phone and drive. That reduced your reaction time to that of a 70-year-old. Texting is worse, I guess your reaction times would be that of a 140-year-old or a dead person. Just stay off the road!!!!

  • 8 Posted by dadandy@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    As far as the commit that using a hands fre device is the same is false so i guess next we wont be able to have a conversation with our passengers because it is distracting. The toughest part of using a cell phone is the dailing while driving and not having both hands free in case you need to make a sudden move or manuvere to avoid another driver, pedestrian or even animal. In my humble opinion we should outlaw the use of cell phones while driving unless the are hands free and definitly outlaw text messaging. Oh ya lets not forget appling make-up and reading a book

  • 9 Posted by ljohnson28 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am amazed the insurance companies have not ban cell usage in a car all together. With rates rising this is one other method to curb the increase in insurance. Regardless of the costs, the cost in life and personal injury should be enough to stop cell usage in autos all together. We conducted business and our lives for centuries without cell phones, what has changed. Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.

  • 10 Posted by mr_lepizjr@sbcglobal.net on Tue May 8, 2007 5:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have unlimited text-messages and i send an average of 500 text messages each day... and yes i do text while driving... some of you guys might think is not such a bad idea but let me tell you guys that most of the time i know which letters i'm punching... i don't even have to look at the phone to do a text message... well only when i'm sending it...

  • 11 Posted by ourgirls-cas@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think they should have the same laws in Kansas as they do anywhere else. I see people on there cell phones talking and not paying any attention to there driving, so whats to stop the people from texting,here I think it would be more harmful than good. The police in this state do little to anyone caught talking or texting. I think they should make the laws more nation wide than just a few states. Cells phones have become a habit to most people, they can't leave them at home, or use them for emergency's only, but most people can't see it that way. Since these things are such a popular item no one goes anywhere with out them glued to there sides or ears.

  • 12 Posted by glaughy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    No, we don't - I also encourage all states to ban holding cells while driving, Dec 21, 2006 I lost my oldest daughter, we know she was on her cell phone. http://www.legacy.com/Oklahoman/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=20374728

  • 13 Posted by dkenn1967 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have never texted while driving. In fact, I have never texted period. I think it is the most useless invention. For one thing, from what I have seen it takes too long to text someone, and whatever happened to good old-fashioned speaking on the phone. Have we become so disconnected that simple speaking is seen as passe?

  • 14 Posted by gmdrizzle@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    As a senior citizen, I have come to the conclusion that "common sense" is decidely UNcommon. I do text on my cell phone, but NEVER while driving. I don't think a law against texting while driving is the answer, though. We need a law against "driving while distracted". That would cover a lot of things - Texting, Talking on the phone, eating, drinking coffee, etc.

  • 15 Posted by dejae1@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I live in St.Louis, MO and I don't text while driving and only use the phone with my bluetooth.They are talking about passing these laws which I believe is great, BUT it only does good when there is officers that are willing to something about it. I drive a average 50 miles everyday, round trip and very rare do I see officers much less them enforcing the law. Thank You. Mike

  • 16 Posted by tompavlock@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    By the way, don't give me the excuse that talking to someone in the car is the same as hands free. It's not. It's not because there is someone else in the car who is also looking at the road, and they can warn you about something if you don't see it. Talking on speaker, or hands free, still takes your focus out of the car.

  • 17 Posted by nelsha@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree. Our grandson totaled his pick-up from either talking or text messaging on his cell phone. It's a deadly idea in some cases. You can't multitask when you're driving.

  • 18 Posted by trevor.jensen@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't see a problem with texting or talking or anything while driving. I think that those who aren't able to multitask and still concetrate on driving are dangerous, because distractions happen. When someone else does something stupid on the road, a driver needs to be able to counter for it, not get distracted and run into them. I think talking and texting while driving are important skills.

  • 19 Posted by jpistorius380@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    I do not agree with passing of yet another government intrusion into our lives. I don't text while driving but I definitely do want more laws. Government is never the solution to the problem it is always the problem.

  • 20 Posted by jjsailsfast@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    If they consider banning 'hands free' talking while driving, will they also consider banning talking to passengers? This part of the article is ridiculous. In Israel, there are strict laws about cellphones being 'hands free' only - and everyone has hands free devices. It's absolute. And it's probably very effective. 'Hands free' would also imply no texting. however, if you're at a stop light, you should be able to change the radio station, a CD, or text if you desire. While moving - that's another story. Banning 'talking' altogether (hands free) - is just plain silly though.

  • 21 Posted by crinkles@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I THINK ALL CELL PHONE USAGE SHOULD BE BANNED WHILE DRIVING WHETHER TEXTING OR TALKING. I HAVE SEEN TO MANY PEOPLE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIR DRIVING WHILE USING THE CELL PHONES. I ALMOST GOT RUN OVER IN A PARKING LOT WALKING BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS TOO BUSY TALKING ON THEIR PHONE AND NOT WATCHING THEIR SURROUNDINGS. I HAVE A CELL PHONE BUT IT USE IT OFF THE ROAD. CRINKLES

  • 22 Posted by krotalos@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, I'm guilty of texting while driving and yes, I've lost control a few times but for some reason I keep doing it! Heck, the highway I travel everyday is dangerous enough without distractions so texting while driving brings up the danger! I'm gonna try really hard to stop this bad habit. Don't want to cause a tragedy!

  • 23 Posted by jp.mc@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    ppl who wonder why you text instead of calling someone I do it for reason of saving minutes i have unlimited texting. I have done it in the car which is bad i must say but i don't do it often and ive basicly stopped as it is. plus texting is great i don't need to totally be in the conversaion and I can save text for future reference. Also I can do it at work without looking rude or preventing ppl from coming up to me.

  • 24 Posted by deeppowder54@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    Any use of a cell phone, period, while driving should be a ticketable infraction. It's bad enough that drivers can't pay attention to their driving, but add another distraction (hands-free included) and it is dangerous. I've seen and been in accidents where the other driver was on the phone. Put a message on your phone to let those calling that you don't answer the phone while driving so leave a message and I'll call you when it is safe to do so -- hint-- this means not while driving. Nothing is so important that you risk endangering you or other drivers to answer your phone or place a call.

  • 25 Posted by ornelle@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    I do not know how to text. DO not see any reason to do so. I do not talk on my cell phone while driving. My cell is rarely on. I have it for those times when it is important. I have a home phone. Either call me there, or dont bother. When I am out of town, then call my cell. I do not have a camera phone, or fancy ringtones. I somehow managed to survive many years without it.

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