texting while driving

Lisa - posted on 12/14/2011

I taught DOT and Company Compliance for a few years at a trucking company...and let me tell you... the horror of wrecks from texting are so REAL. I have seen it firsthand being in safety. Kids texting and running into 18 wheeler's?? They never had a chance... People at the company would get fired if caught texting and driving. And they SHOULD. It is serious. One photo taken was a boy's hand cell phone still attached. His body was 20 ft away. Dead over a text? My girls lost a classmate last year as well- posting to facebook that he was out driving and having fun- 45 seconds later he was dead. Nothing is that important to say...

Jen - posted on 12/14/2011

This PSA is well done, graphic and made me bawl my eyes out.

Mivaly - posted on 12/13/2011

According to a brand new survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, two in every ten driver is driving while text messaging. Fifty percent all those who replied between the ages of 21 and 24 admitted to the act. These numbers are up in spite of increasing number of states outlawing texting when driving. However, other figures show that the problem is even more widespread than people will admit. You may need a cash advance to pay for your accident if you text and drive. https://personalmoneynetwork.com/cash-advance/

Jen - posted on 05/20/2011

I think the texting (or no talking on a cell phone) while driving ban is a good idea.. but I think it's almost impossible to enforce. People will try harder to hide it thus potentially causing more accidents (or just putting the phone away when they see a cop.. because they're not hard to spot).
With the education about it in school.. you need to be careful with that. For example.. the more you tell a kid "smoking is bad" the more "intriguing" it seems.. the more they want to try it. They know about cancers.. they know they smell... but they hear all the talk (hype) about it they just HAVE to try it. I'd say always having open communication is the best.. you can only do so much before "their friends" take over. If they're friends do it.. chances are they will too

Chief Thumbbody - posted on 05/20/2011

Law enforcement is part of the solution. Personal responsibility is another.

Drivers need to buck up and commit to driving safely because it is the right thing to do. Simply said, be thumbbody:)

Thumbs on the Wheel, a grass roots effort that is successfully making roads safer one driver at a time. Check it out and join in on the fun. All you need is common sense and a smile... the cool gear is optional!
www.thumbsonthewheel.com

Maria - posted on 02/04/2011

JODI thats makes a lot of sense! thanks for putting that into perspective for me

Jodi - posted on 02/04/2011

You know, I had a bit more of a think about this one. And then I thought about seat belts. It is still not automatic to my father to put on a seat belt. After all, seat belts were not law back when he was younger. I actually still vaguely remember the days when seat belts were a recommendation, not law (very vaguely, but remember all the same). Hardly anyone bothered back then. It took an ENTIRE generation to change the attitude. But it DID change. For me, putting on a seatbelt is so automatic, I feel naked without it. For my kids, when they were younger, they actually FREAKED OUT if they are were not strapped in properly and feel extremely uncomfortable without a seat belt.

So while it may APPEAR that law has no effect, only time will tell. Texting while driving is only a relatively new phenomenom (when put into perspective), and the laws preventing it are even more recent. Our next generation of texters will probably change their habits, as will those beyond that. It is more difficult to change a habit you have already developed because a law says you must, than to not develop it at all.

Jodi - posted on 02/04/2011

And I think if a law isn't effective, then the fine they are applying to the offence just isn't enough. Make it REALLY hurt the hip pocket and people will stop.

Jodi - posted on 02/04/2011

Maria, I believe the fact that it is illegal in Australia (I am not sure if that is in all states, but most), has helped reduce the incidence of texting while driving. No law will eliminate an activity entirely, but the combination of a law and public education (even if through shock tactics) is definitely a positive step, and will have an effect.

Charlie - posted on 02/04/2011

Laws drastically reduce criminally negligent activities like texting and driving like in Australia where it is illegal .

Jenn - posted on 02/04/2011

Maria - I don't believe that though. I think when a law is passed a LOT of people will stop. Of course it won't stop everyone. Just like people speed, don't wear seatbelts, drink and drive - and all kinds of other things - but it will deter some people. Some is better than none.

Maria - posted on 02/04/2011

P.s. sorry let me just say that i kno texting and driving is wrong i wouldnt encourage others to do it im just saying that im not ashamed to admit that ive done it before. And i think the majority of people who do it on a regular basis wont change just because a law was put in place.

Maria - posted on 02/04/2011

Eh i guess in response to this post making a law or not making a law wont change a thing people are gonna do what they wanna do. Be mad at the ones on here admitting that they do but im pretty sure while your driving two cars surrounding you are texting or on the phone. Your right its not a good thing but its not gonna stop even if you say they have no business behind the wheel. Your family is always gonna be in danger with people on the road. a law wont nessecarily change that. The point of the post was to answer if making it a law would be effective and in my opinion i dont really think does.

Katherine - posted on 02/04/2011

Just became illegal here in the state of Michigan. I cannot STAND when people are in 2 lanes either talking on the phone or texting.
I'm glad it's illegal. Get a hands free doo-hickey it's $50, don't put me and my family at risk.

Stephanie - posted on 02/04/2011

Right on, Liz. ; )

Liz - posted on 02/04/2011

Anyone dumb enough to text and drive has no business behind the wheel. I don't care if your in the middle of nowhere, or if anyone else is in the car because its not only your safety you are endangering. I don't even talk on the phone while I drive because its a unnecessary distraction. If anyone needs to talk to someone that bad and it just can't wait, pull over. It should be a law but people also need to be shown just how dangerous it really is too.

Jenn - posted on 02/04/2011

If only everyone were thoughtful enough to not do stupid things, we wouldn't need laws, but when the majority of the population has as much intelligence as a grain of rice, you need laws to protect them from themselves. It's just the way it is.

Maria - posted on 02/04/2011

So over here they just made it a law to not text and drive but i think you can still talk on the phone while driving just not in school zones or something. Ill admit ive texted and drove tons of times however as soon as my daughter was born i chose not to do it anymore if she is in the car. Only when im by myself and usually at a red light or in traffic. However when i talk on the phone i just put it on speaker and then put it on my lap and talk cuz i like having two hands on the wheel. Still tho people really dont know how to drive while talkin on the phone at least alot of them over here anyways and they piss me off!! youll see even little old people drivng and on the phone! haha however i dont really think it should be a law just like i dont think seatbelts shouldnt be a law. Just because if seatbelts werent a law doesnt mean i wouldnt buckle myself in or my child but i get why it is in place to protect the ones who cant voice their right. But i think people should be able to make that decision for themselves if they want to be on the phone and driving. However i dont think they are bad laws and those that are trying not to get caught while texting and driving just put themselves and others in a more dangerous situation and are just stupid. and probably would remain as reckless without the laws. i get what your saying tho about just teaching why it is wrong. im on the fence on this one. i dont think its bad to have the laws but im not sure if its really gonna make that much of a difference.. . .



EDITED: some words missing

Katarina - posted on 02/03/2011

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases...

Katarina - posted on 02/03/2011

Drivers caught once in the “warn” range (between 0.05 and 0.08 per cent BAC) in a five-year period will face an immediate, three-day driving ban and a $200 fine; a second time, a seven-day ban and a $300 fine; and a third, a 30-day ban and a $400 fine. Research shows that driving with a BAC in that range means a driver is seven times more likely to be in a fatal crash than if they have no alcohol in their body.



In addition, drivers who blow once in the “fail” range, or three times within five years in the “warn” range, will be required to participate in the rehabilitative Responsible Driver Program. They must also use an ignition interlock device, which tests a driver’s breath for alcohol every time they operate their vehicle, for one year.



“B.C.’s measures target impaired drivers more effectively than any Canadian jurisdiction has to date,” said Andrew Murie, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada. “We believe these major, escalating penalties will better support both deterrence and enforcement, save lives and prevent hundreds of injuries each year on B.C.’s roads. We encourage other provinces to study what B.C. is doing and follow its example.”



The new, roadside-issued, 90-day bans mean officers will no longer need to take drivers to the station for a full breath analysis in order to impose a driving ban longer than 24 hours.

Jenn - posted on 02/03/2011

We do as well in Ontario Katarina:

"As of May 1, 2009, if you are found to have a blood alcohol concentration from 0.05 to 0.08 (the "warn range") while driving you will:

Have your driver's licence suspended for three days the first time you are caught
Have your driver's licence suspended for seven days and have to attend an alcohol education program the second time you are caught
Have your driver's license suspended for 30 days, complete a remedial alcohol treatment program and have an ignition interlock condition placed on your driver's licence for six months."

Katarina - posted on 02/03/2011

Illegal here in Beautiful British Columbia Canada! Being on your phone either text messaging or talking is illegal and can come with some pretty hefty fines. For "New" drivers they can't have a handsfree either, experiences drivers are allowed hands free.

We also have very strict drinking and driving laws

Sherri - posted on 02/02/2011

Ha ha I have done that too Sharon.

Sharon - posted on 02/02/2011

This is what I love about having older kids, lol, I can get them to text/look shit up for me.

Sherri - posted on 02/02/2011

NO meaning if I try not to use it in the car at all but if I do only at a red light. REALLY Jen you're going to nit pick wording?? Move on already, you are beating a dead horse and being amazingly trivial.

Jenn - posted on 02/02/2011

"Sherri Champagne - posted 1 day ago
Jenn we don't have a seatbelt law in our state. We don't have a cell phone or texting law either. I talk on my phone while driving I really don't see a problem with it. Texting I try and only do it if I am at a red light."

So if you're trying, that would imply that sometimes you DO do it while driving.

Kathy - posted on 02/02/2011

In Australia, it's illegal to use a mobile phone while driving.

Sharon - posted on 02/02/2011

I got through page two of this.

yes it should be illegal.

yes I text at red lights. not a book, maybe 'nrly thr" for my boss when I'm running late and she's stressing.

I wouldn't have an issue with stopping that though and I've made an effort to eliminate it jic another driver sees me and decides I'm a menace who needs to be stopped via something stupid like keying my truck or calling the cops.

I think most people know better.

I think most people take careful stock of their surroundings before attempting to text while on the road.

I think those fucking morons who have accidents while on the phone or texting are the same ones who drive over handicap posts, bushes, people without those distractions because they're lousy drivers to begin with. Now we just have a key to sue them with. Which I'm ok with.

Jackie - posted on 02/02/2011

Hahaha Laci! That's so true. I remember the Nokia days where you could text one handed and never have to look at it. But then again, those were also the days the texting was a privledge that not everyone had. Once upon a time, you could only TALK on phones. Try telling that to your kids when they become teenagers and they'll look at you like your head just spun

Stephanie - posted on 02/02/2011

Does something have to have a law against it to make people realize it's extremely unsafe and down right negligent??? Saying something isn't against the law where you live doesn't make it ok to do it when you know there could be catastrophic consequences.

Sherri - posted on 02/02/2011

NO Jenn I never text while actually driving!!!!!

Jenni - posted on 02/02/2011

Cell phone use while driving is illegal in Ontario. Doesn't deter people using their phones. I am against any kind of cell phone usage when driving. I can't count the amount of times my husband and I have almost been in an accident because another driver was chatting it up while driving! It's ridiculous! Nearly every time we're in the car we get cut off, swrived into, have to slam on our breaks and lo and behold when we get a look at the driver 99% of time they are on their phone.
People who drive and talk will probably say: "I'm not one of those people, I drive fine when I'm on the phone". Well, yeah... I bet the people nearly driving us off the road would say the same thing. Because they simply don't notice they almost hit someone because their too busy holding a business confrence in their car. When you drive past them they look completely oblivious!!
Just last week a car spun out in front of us and we had to slam on the breaks and we skid in the snow. When we drove past him, of course.... he was on his phone and drove off completely unfazed by the pile up he nearly caused.
In my opinion cell phone use while driving is worse than drunk driving. At least the drunk drivers are usually only on the road at 2 am when nobody else is not at rush hour. I think far more people use than phone than drive drunk as well. I'd bet, although I don't have the stats, that far far more accidents are caused by cell phone driver than drunk drivers.

LaCi - posted on 02/02/2011

Oh, and I have texted while driving, a lot. I think if I had tried to with a touchscreen or any qwerty phone it would have been incredibly difficult. But back in the old school nokia days It was easy, as we knew which letters were which buttons, did it one handed without paying much attention to the phone or even looking at the screen. That being said, virtually all phones are qwerty/touch screen now, so I'm not sure how anyone could do it one handed without looking at it. It's stupid to even try. Just my opinion. I'm sure someone out there can do it, but it's just not worth it.

LaCi - posted on 02/02/2011

I think the laws against it are great, because, although it bugs me that I can't send a quick text while I'm sitting in traffic, I've almost been hit by so many fucktards that are more concerned with their cell than the road. Apparently people are completely incapable of multitasking, they can't even talk on a cell phone without nearly causing 10 car pile ups. I fail to understand it, I'm not sure how a cell phone at your ear makes you go completely fucking blind... but whatever. ban it all.

Bonnie - posted on 02/02/2011

Sarah, I tell my husband the same thing!

Sarah - posted on 02/02/2011

Having just passed my driving test last week, I don't even have the radio on yet, let alone even consider using my mobile! I would never do it anyway because a) it's illegal here and b) there's enough distractions without adding even more.

My husband is a great driver and used to drive for a living, I have complete and utter confidence that he knows exactly what he's doing at all times. He could easily text on his phone and still drive safely BUT as I say to him, it's not his driving I worry about, it's other people!!

If you're texting on your phone, and someone else does something stupid, then you're cutting down your reaction time. As I said, there's enough distractions, kids shouting at you from the back, the radio, thinking about other things etc. without adding a call or a text. Also, I don't see how anything can be THAT important that it can't wait until you've finished your journey. :)

Bonnie - posted on 02/02/2011

I don't find handsfree phones that much safer either. You are still concentrating on the conversation you are having which could distract you. And I know it's like the same as talking with passengers in the same vehicle as you, but still.

Rosie - posted on 02/02/2011

it has increased the rates of crashes in my state jenn. and the second link stated that crash rates havn't gone up because of phones, talking or texting. they've stayed around the same as the last few decades, even with the introduction of cell phones and the fact that 80 some percent of people have one. if phones were the problem, the rate of crashes would've gone up significantly with the increase of use of cell phones.

it's people being distracted all the way around, not phones. sure phones are a distraction, and i'm not arguing that people should use them freely, i'm just saying they aren't the real problem.

kind of like welfare, sure people abuse the system but getting rid of it isn't going to stop the problem that people need welfare in the first place.

education!!! :)

Jenn - posted on 02/02/2011

And Sherri - in case you didn't notice - you have changed your story - you started out saying that you talk on your phone while driving and you don't see a problem with it and that you "try" to only text while at a red light - which would imply that you DO text while driving - even if only sometimes. Now you're trying to backtrack and stated that you would never do it unless you're stopped at a red light. Make up your mind - what is truth and what is BS? So again I ask - what is so important?

Jenn - posted on 02/02/2011

Well, I know I'm not lying about it Sherri, because I don't even have a cell phone. What is so fucking important that it can't wait until you're out of the car?

And I read those links Hotdog (giggle at the name LOL) - there is no real evidence to suggest what you are saying. The second link says:
"A new study suggests that laws banning talking on or sending text messages with cell phones while driving may not significantly decrease the risk of traffic accidents."
That is NOT the same as saying that it increased the rates of texting related crashes. And you're right, that just because something is illegal doesn't mean it's going to stop everyone - look at all of the other illegal things that people do on a daily basis, but it will stop SOME people - and some is better than none. Plus, I think over time, it will bring more awareness to this dangerous activity. I'm pretty sure when seatbelt laws were introduced, people had much of the same attitude, but look at all of the lives that seatbelts have saved.

Rosie - posted on 02/02/2011

i'm not sure if many of you are really thinking this through.(that didn't sound right, it's not meant to be bitchy :)) this ban has INCREASED crashes. i think it's worse to have it. people should be educated on it and hopefully that will see a decrease in the amount of crashes, but right now banning it doesn't work.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ment...



http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-104447...

Meghan - posted on 02/01/2011

I think texting while driving is stupid and dangerous....I think it should be illegal. It is common sense really...it isn't a matter of taking one hand off the wheel, its a matter of not paying attention to what is going on around you.

Sherri - posted on 02/01/2011

Well you are one of the minority that is for sure. However, since you don't do any of these things. You really weren't able to answer my question about how it is safer with hands free vs. actual phone.

Jenny - posted on 02/01/2011

How many people actually drive with both hands on the wheel at all times??



I do! I don't eat, play with my stereo, use a phone in any fashion including hands free, turn back towards my kids, have a dog on my lap etc. A large number of people doing dangerous things still makes it dangerous! This is why I drive like everyone is trying to kill me, way too many drivers just don't give driving the respect it deserves.

Sherri - posted on 02/01/2011

I don't care what you think Jenny at least I am honest. I would be willing to bet not everyone here is being honest for fear of being attacked. As I said I do not take my foot off the brake or out of gear till the phone is down and put away. It is certainly a rarity and not the norm but I have certainly done it on occasion. I am not sorry nor do I feel guilty. I am at a complete stop and not endangering anyone.

Honestly I am sorry hands free phones are no safer than a regular phone. How many people actually drive with both hands on the wheel at all times?? I know I never do, so I can not understand for the life of me why that is a safer option.

Deanna - posted on 02/01/2011

This sounds cruel but here goes......
IMO it is natural selection. If you are stupid enough to take your eyes off the road to type, make a phone call or whatever then you deserve whatever happens to you. I am always careful about my driving, especially with my kids in the car. If I see someone on the phone or texting, eating, whatever, then I get as far away from them as possible so when they crash they don't take me or my kids with them.
Oh, and the state right next to us has a texting ban, ours is on the table to become a ban.

Tara - posted on 02/01/2011

Texting and talking without a hands free system is illegal where I live.
Texting while driving has go to be one of the most asinine things someone could do.
Honestly? There is no excuse for having to text while operating a vehicle, pull over, if you can't pull over safely, then wait. No one's life is worth whatever is contained in that text.
Plain and simple.
My kids and I were walking across a parking lot, yes a parking lot and we were crossing at a 4 way stop. Well the lady directly to my right is texting with her phone up to the steering wheel, and takes the left turn, I had to grab my 5 year old's coat and pull her back and my 8 year old had to jump, and she fell at the same time. I was livid. It's a fucking parking lot, could you imagine if she were on the road?
Study after study has proven that when you text or talk while driving your vision and focus are incredibly compromised.
Anyone who is selfish enough to text while driving shouldn't have a license at all.

Jenny - posted on 02/01/2011

Texting is illegal where I live and people are still fucking idiots. I take driving VERY seriously. If you can't be bothered to pay full attention to the road then hang up your fucking keys and stop endangering others (that includes you Sherri). I don't care if it's a stop light, the car texting at the stop light beside me yesterday slammed on the gas when the lgiht went green nearly running over someone who stepped out off the curb. If they had their eyes on the road instead of their phone they would have noticed that. How self centred to think your entertainment is more important than the courtesy of not endangering those around you in your metal killing machine.

We share the road, let's act like it.

Rosie - posted on 02/01/2011

has anybody else seen if it's causing crash rates to go up higher in their state?

Melissa - posted on 02/01/2011

I think it really should be, I mean taking your hans of the steering wheel is illegal anyway isnt it. texthing while driving is pretty dangerous. I mean I do it and you can nearly run off the road or hit curbs or other cars. It should be illegal. Every time there is a car drving stupidly hitting curbs or being slow you always find when you look at them they have a phoe in their hands