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?

Comments on States Consider Another Ban: Driving While Texting

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  • 1 Posted by hyondebbie on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    I can honestly say that I have NEVER text messaged while driving. In fact, I think I have sent maybe a dozen text messages in total during my life and I find the process a little annoying. If I have something important to say to someone, I'll wait until I get home or work to talk to them. I only carry my cell phone for emergencies and I bought my daughter a cell phone for the same reason. No internet or downloading ringtones for this family, I find it to be an unneeded expense and a little pretensious.

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

    I agree 100% with this one, if you have ever tried to do it, then you know that it is impossible to concentrate on driving while texting. I do not do it anymore!!!

  • 3 Posted by reachmark on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am hearing impaired and am curious to ask if deaf drivers do well watching the road and text messaging better than hearing drivers? I have heard many times that deaf drivers tend to be a better driver than hearing because of two reasons - always looking out and not able to hear impatient or road rage drivers honking horns... Hmm?

  • 4 Posted by brittney8@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    i can say that my older sister does which scares me,,mom my makes me do it for her which is a good idea.Honestly i think it should be banned or at least the law because people are getting killled...and thats not a good thing!!!

  • 5 Posted by kristinalily@swbell.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm guilty of texting while behind the wheel. I usually start while I'm stopped and then if I'm not done when it turns green I do it while driving. I've never had a problem with it personally but I can definitely see how it can be dangerous. Obviously.

  • 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...

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