Talking on cell phone and texting while driving

[tvguy]

Here in California, it's illegal. And the law is largely ignored. The fine is only $25.......of course most counties lump on another $150 in fees on top of that....and there is a move onto raise the fine because so many people ignore the law. Some argue other driving distractions should also be illegal............eating in the car, changing CD's in the car, using an i-Pod, shaving, putting on make up.
What do you think?


http://www.news10.net/hangup/

 

[golfgal]

"Distracted driving" is illegal here, and I would assume everywhere, they just don't list out the 'specifics". There are specific laws about texting and emailing while driving here but not talking on a cell phone.

 

[mjkacmom]

My town made the no cellphones while driving law, and then my state. I think if one is caught texting while driving, they should lose their license. You can talk on a cellphone without your eyes leaving the road, but texting?

 

[bettymae1121]

Texting while driving is illegal in IL. Talking on a cell is only illegal in Chicago and in any construction zone (some smaller towns may have a ban too) but you are allowed to use hands-free.

Independent studies have shown that talking on your cell phone (including hands free) makes it 4x more likely that you'll have an accidient, which is the same as driving drunk. Texting makes you 8x more likely. Any type of distracted driving is bad, but talking/texting deserve their own law, IMO, because they are so much worse.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

This is where I have to post something I saw about a month ago. DBF and I had just turned onto a relatively busy road, where the speed limit is 45 (having just turned, though, we were not up to speed). Coming toward us, approaching the red light, we saw a woman on a motorcycle. Helmetless. Right hand on the handlebar. Left hand...holding up a cell phone. We could see her thumb texting away. And of course, she was looking at the phone, not the road in front of her.

I think we were too stunned to think anything at the moment...

 

[indimom]

I wish there was a way to stop the cell phone situation. Every time I've passed a car that was swerving a bit in the last year or so; and glanced at the driver, they were on the phone or texting. And they are almost always women (I don't know if thats because we are on the phones more or are too distracted to drive and use the phone, but it's true.) .I'm going to get killed someday just because someone "needed" to find out if their hubby wanted roast or bbq for dinner.

 

[Luvchefmic]

DH is an over the road trucker all across the country..high up vantage point you'd be shocked to hear what he sees going on with drivers....pure stupidity. I break out in a cold sweat thinking about a distracted fool that would wander over in front of him. The time distance needed to stop an 18 wheeler !

With everything else people need to lose the mentality that "it could never happen to me"

Some states have very strict cell phone useage laws and big signs on roads saying that. Other states apparently not.

Common sense is a wonderful thing too bad everyone doesn't have it though

 

[SandrA9810]

More than once now I've gotten great comments on my driving. When I drive my grandmother around, she always makes the comment of how safe my driving is, and I always remind her, I can't account for every one else on the road.

I mean, I have had my close calls before, but no accidents. I figure it's only a matter of time before it happens.

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm beginning to hate cell phones in general. The other day, just for the fun of it, I started watching everyone I passed (on the road and just walking around). Probably three out of every five people were on a cell phone. This included people driving, people walking at the mall, people at the grocery store and I even noticed a woman walking around my neighborhood on her cell phone. Incredible! There is life away from the cell phone! I rarely use mine. I only have it for emergency purposes. I understand that they come in handy, but do people have to be tied to them all the time?

 

[paintnolish]

Texting: No, Talking: Yes
I talk to the passenger in the car, too, so I don't have a problem with people talking on the phone while driving. I can recall seeing all sorts of distracted driving- laptops open, eating, applying makeup, following maps. I even saw a person driving and looking at a crossword puzzle! The worst distraction? Kids in the backseat!

 

[foolishmortal]

I'm beginning to hate cell phones in general. The other day, just for the fun of it, I started watching everyone I passed (on the road and just walking around). Probably three out of every five people were on a cell phone. This included people driving, people walking at the mall, people at the grocery store and I even noticed a woman walking around my neighborhood on her cell phone. Incredible! There is life away from the cell phone! I rarely use mine. I only have it for emergency purposes. I understand that they come in handy, but do people have to be tied to them all the time?

what about those of us that our work emails on on them, or we have so much extra after work activities for kids that when we are out at store walking etc its only time to check presonal email and such? How about my hobby which is more like a 2nd job now is mostly done over email (which goes to phone) and sometimes very time sensitive. or when im coaching little league (which im also up for new board postion) so also on phone texting or calling parents board members etc? I could go on and on about how useful my iphone is and not just for "fun" or "needing" to be tied to it. some of us live very busy lives which wouldnt be so busy if we didnt have a cell phone because most if it would then not be possible.

 

[Feralpeg]

what about those of us that our work emails on on them, or we have so much extra after work activities for kids that when we are out at store walking etc its only time to check presonal email and such? How about my hobby which is more like a 2nd job now is mostly done over email (which goes to phone) and sometimes very time sensitive. or when im coaching little league (which im also up for new board postion) so also on phone texting or calling parents board members etc? I could go on and on about how useful my iphone is and not just for "fun" or "needing" to be tied to it. some of us live very busy lives which wouldnt be so busy if we didnt have a cell phone because most if it would then not be possible.

I'm sure there are good reasons for some people to use cell phones. I have no problem with that, but I'd be willing to bet that the majority of the people do not have to be on their phones all the time. Sorry, but I'm jaded on this. I grew up without a cell phone. I didn't get my first one until I was 52. I never had a problem dealing with work or my daughter's activities. You can deal with the issues at home or at work. Is it more convenient to do it on the cell? Maybe, but you get no down time. I would hate being tied to people all the time. I'm selfish. I like my personal time to be just mine!

By the way, I'm a travel agent and I run a gift basket business. I don't do it over my cell phone. I have texting blocked on my cell. I manage just fine.

 

[foolishmortal]

I'm sure there are good reasons for some people to use cell phones. I have no problem with that, but I'd be willing to bet that the majority of the people do not have to be on their phones all the time. Sorry, but I'm jaded on this. I grew up without a cell phone. I didn't get my first one until I was 52. I never had a problem dealing with work or my daughter's activities. You can deal with the issues at home or at work. Is it more convenient to do it on the cell? Maybe, but you get no down time. I would hate being tied to people all the time. I'm selfish. I like my personal time to be just mine!

By the way, I'm a travel agent and I run a gift basket business. I don't do it over my cell phone. I have texting blocked on my cell. I manage just fine.

1 im guessing your work wasnt primarily email or internet at that time then, 2 well i could deal with issues at home, after 9pm on a weeknight when people are closed or starting to wind down so I dont want to bother them, 3 maybe I do have alot going on in my life, but i like being busy, i like my kids to have thier hobbies but me as well. I do get down time because I got everything done while getting other things done, so when I get home, im HOME. I mean I guess I could go home and be on phone and computer all the time and ignore my family, but its just easier to do while im running other errands and stuf and be with them when I am home


again, maybe it doesnt work for you, but for me it does, at any given time I could be on an email for my "hobby" while on phone about work, receiving a text about my little league team, and when home im playing with my kids. or i guess I could have just given them all 1 email that wouldnt get any response til home, but hey I got to walk through the mall with no interruptions.


p.s. im of the age where I am old enough to know what it was like with no cell phone but also young enough to "need" what cell phones currently offer.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I'm not totally against talking on cell phones while driving occassionally and ONLY if its hands free If you're glancing down to dial or holding the phone in your hand yes I have a problem with that & think it should be illegal everywhere...will it stop it ? Of course not

Even hands free you may think you're not distracted but you are...pull over out of harms way for everyone and then talk

 

[LoraJ]

texting, dialing and emailing while driving is my #1 pet peeve. I if you get pulled over for this, you should have the same punishment as someone drinking while driving.

 

[Luvchefmic]

texting, dialing and emailing while driving is my #1 pet peeve. I if you get pulled over for this, you should have the same punishment as someone drinking while driving.

well said !

 

[foolishmortal]

texting, dialing and emailing while driving is my #1 pet peeve. I if you get pulled over for this, you should have the same punishment as someone drinking while driving.

I agree its a pet peeve with me as well but really....someone texting should get possible jail and ticket/lawyer fees exceeding $10000?

 

[clov878]

I live in GA and laws against texting while driving were just recently passed. I think the (first) fine is $150. Personally, I think TWD should be one of those hello, captain obvious things...but apparently, it's a pretty large issue.

 

[LoraJ]

I agree its a pet peeve with me as well but really....someone texting should get possible jail and ticket/lawyer fees exceeding $10000?

Yup!

It's just as dangerous as DWI.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I was cursing this law yesterday. I was waiting on an important call from my Dr.

But, I had offered to take a client to the airport. Of course the call comes in just as I am leaving the airport along a very long road that has "No Stopping, No Parking" all the way down.

So, I missed the call.

So, now I am waiting again all day today for a call-back. I seriously think that answering this one call while not changing lanes while going the speed limit wouldn't have hurt anyone, but I did obey the law.