Texting While Driving?
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There are certain things that come with being a geek. For some, a $4000 computer, and a $500 car. With others come gadgets. I know for me, I’ve spent more on my computer(s) than my car, but I’ll just leave it at that. Now, I can certainly say that I’m one for gadgets of any kind. Big, small, ones that do lots, or some that do very little. It’s a gadget, and I must have. A few of the most common ones are iPods, soon to be iPads, and of course, phones. It seems like today, almost every person has a cell phone. Whether that be a simple “only for calls” phone, or something as advanced as say an iPhone or a Motorola Droid, everyone has one.
Now, a few things arise when you think of the cell phone. One of the latest issue is texting while driving. It’s a big issue! It has states considering the idea of banning texting while driving, or just banning the entire phone while driving. When you drive, you should just drive, they’re arguing. And can you really argue with that? With so many distractions already, should this just be another? CBS News has posted some very interesting stats regarding this issue. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute recorded one of those.
the study also found that “texting took a driver’s focus away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds — enough time… to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph.”
Another interesting stat that I found was by Clemson University in a December 2007 simulator study. They were quoted,
… that “text messaging and using iPods caused drivers to leave their lanes 10 percent more often.”
Now me being a teenager, I have to say, we text a lot. Not me personally, but there are some that do. So it’s no wonder that we’re at the biggest risk. Especially for those newest drivers who have just only recently acquired their license. Here is a stat to back this one up. It was done by AAA:
When it comes to texting while driving, teens are a particular risk group considering that, according to Nielsen (PDF), “The average U.S. mobile teen now sends or receives an average of 2,899 text-messages per month” and apparently some of those texts are being sent and read from behind the wheel.
A 2007 study conducted by AAA and Seventeen magazine has been widely misquoted as 46 percent of teens admit to texting while driving. But what the study found is that “61 percent of teens admit to risky driving habits.” Forty-six percent of that 61 percent say that they text message while driving.
So with these facts in mind, I ask you; should texting while driving be banned while behind the wheel? Should we broaden this to cell phone usage of any kind? With these shocking results, wouldn’t it seem wrong not to?
Comments welcome.
All quotes can be found here. Thanks to CBS News.
23 Comments
leftystrat
March 9th, 2010
at 9:06pm
I work in Philadelphia, which passed a no cell phone while driving law. It has been only slighly less effective than speed limits.
Distracted driving is already against the law.
Twitter Works to Combat Phishing Scams ~ Chris Pirillo
March 9th, 2010
at 10:17pm
[...] C’mon, admit it. You text while you drive, don’t you? [...]
Buffet
March 10th, 2010
at 1:17am
I do not do it. Period.
Dennis F
March 10th, 2010
at 2:25am
I don’t and don’t recommend it. The near accidents my family has been in in the past 5 years have all been cell phone/texting related. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Use it wisely so both of us make it home tonight. Thanks.
Rick Hamrick
March 10th, 2010
at 8:20am
This one is easy to answer: no. Not now, not ever. I answer my cell if I am at a red light only to determine that the caller’s hair is not on fire. If it is not, I offer to call back as soon as I stop long enough to do so.
Not sure what I would do if it were on fire.
Alex
March 10th, 2010
at 12:56pm
I’m in California and there’s a no cell phone while driving law. That hasn’t stopped people from talking or texting. Personally, I think that cell phones are the Antichrist. They absolutely adore those things. They are nothing but a tool but many adore those things. Frankly, I never considered myself so important that people just had to keep in contact with me all the time. It’s so much more important to talk face-to-face. It’s amazing how far apart people in technological societies have become with the tools they use.
William Thomas
March 10th, 2010
at 3:31pm
No way. I don’t own a cell phone
James
March 10th, 2010
at 4:01pm
I personally do not text/call and drive. I work for the Postal Service and I see all the idiots out there daily. I’ve seen people not pay attention when backing out of their driveways. I’ve seen many near misses and a couple of accidents as well. It’s unbelievable how many people don’t “see” your vehicle because they’re busy jabbering on the phone about NOTHING!
jkls
March 10th, 2010
at 4:05pm
Thanks for all of the great replies! I agree, it shouldn’t be allowed. There are too many avoidable collisions that are caused by this.
Gavin Roskamp
March 10th, 2010
at 8:52pm
Here in Illinois, we have a ban on all texting and teens under 18 are not permitted to use cell phones unless for emergencies. Me being 15 and having just gotten my driver’s permit, I focus on the road almost 100% of the time. I tried reading a text while driving on an Interstate Highway and it just isn’t fun, easy, safe, or logical. You have to constantly glance from the phone to the road and back. Then comes replying. Even if you know where all the keys are (and with my full-keyboard phone, I’m a wiz at texting without looking), it’s almost impossible to have a grip on the wheel and text at the same time. Same goes for getting a drink, eating a sandwich, talking on the phone, getting something out of the glove compartment, it all diverts your attention that should be focused on staying on the road and watching your surroundings.
I can say that I will not be texting and driving anytime soon and since I don’t talk on the phone, that isn’t an issue. If your friends think it’s more important for you to answer their texts or calls while you’re driving, they’re not your friends.
Melissa
March 11th, 2010
at 12:16pm
Hi, YES, I DO Text while I drive and there is NO LAW that will stop me from doing this!
Besides, they can’t because I text, check voice mail and email ALL HANDS FREE!
I was MAD when I started to see Oprah, car and driver and ALL the news casts going on about this so, I like SOLUTIONS NOT MORE LAWS to restrict my liberties. So, my search began!
I found TelecomSlayer(dot)com and this literally changed my LIFE forever.. Heck I could say SAVED my life forever because I “WAS” BAD with this! Notice, I wrote “WAS” because NOW I can Send and Receive email, Send Text Messages, Make Phone Calls and more… ALL Hands Free!
I was even reading in a message that TelecomSlayer(dot)com sent me the other day that SOON I will be able to speak my posts to twitter and facebook! This will be nice..
You all know that Americans WILL NOT give up there phones. I even had my friend tell me that she would leave the bank take her house BEFORE she gives up her cell phone! this may sound a bit weird, but we Americans live practically with our phones.
So, I am GRATEFUL to TelecomSlayer(dot)com ALL of my family and friends are using this service making me feel better and making me safer on the roads so I do not hurt anyone else.
I TELL EVERYONE I know about TelecomSlayer(dot)com & this amazing service and you should to!
Have a NICE Day!
Melissa
Ashumeet Singh
March 12th, 2010
at 11:56am
i am not sure if any bill can make a difference in texting while driving problem. People are texting while driving anyways. And now they are extra precocious of cop cars also. i use http://www.drivesafe.ly and it keeps me safe on road and i don’t need to even pick up my phone at all, it dose all for me. It reads my messages and email loud to me while i am driving. I am just in love with it.
Melissa
March 12th, 2010
at 5:04pm
Hi Ashumeet,
YOU ARE SO CORRECT! I know I AM NOT! Regardless of any bans…
Besides, I do not have to stop since I got the service from http://www.TelecomSlayer.com I even found out that they had a service where I can get UNLIMITED voice, web & texting for a REAL LOW price and Home phone service CHEAP and I did NOT have to sign a STUPID TERM contract or have my credit pulled, like you do with the other carriers!
Anyway, I am TOTALLY happy with http://www.TelecomSlayer.com and have my family using the service to!
Have an AMAZING weekend EVERYONE!!!
Melissa
Jeff Hopeck
March 12th, 2010
at 7:31pm
I’m surprised people even have a debate against texting while driving. If you don’t care for your own safety, at least care for the people around you.
Laws may change, but one thing holds true in my mind: How can you possibly drive a vehicle without looking at the road?
Good post, thanks for the insights.
Melissa
March 12th, 2010
at 9:25pm
MY POINT EXACTLY Jeff!!!
With this service, people will be able to do EXACTLY THAT!
With the HANDS FREE from http://www.TelecomSlayer.com I am now able to keep my eyes on the road and PAY attention..
I mean think of it this way… does listening to the radio or talking to your passenger cause you to crash? NO! So, talking to your phone DOES NOT EITHER! Nice huh?
Hope this helps,
Have an AWESOME Easter!
Melissa
Heather @ Caffeine and Dreams
March 16th, 2010
at 7:31pm
I am on my hands and knees begging anyone who will listen DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE! I lost my only sister in October because she was texting and driving. In a matter of seconds her life was over because she couldn’t wait to respond to or check a text that someone sent her. I guess that text message is not so important now is it. Please if you text and drive please stop if not for your own safety, for others and the lives of your loved one’s who do not want to go through what my family has gone through.
Silver Fang
March 22nd, 2010
at 5:52pm
I don’t think any law will stop people from texting while driving. The compulsion is just too strong and there aren’t enough cops to enforce it. Thus, if there are no tangible consequence, people will damn the law and do it anyway.
That said, I really wish people would not TWD because it is very dangerous. My friend and I were nearly broadsided by some lady TWD. Thankfully, she saw this and compensated, but I saw the phone in her hand.
permit test
April 12th, 2010
at 11:27pm
Great post. Thanks a lot
Kris Kolanko
April 15th, 2010
at 2:00pm
Just to put into perspective how dangerous it is to drive and text. Read this article about how easily young people are distracted while driving a vehicle.
http://www.wannadrive.com/article/distracted-driving-ID-191.php
Crystal
April 19th, 2010
at 12:12am
I was just in a head on collision today because my friend was texting while driving and ran a red light, crashing straight into a van. It was the most terrifying thing ever.
jkls
April 19th, 2010
at 6:32pm
So sorry to hear that. Hope you’re alright!
permit test
April 25th, 2010
at 4:04pm
I always text and drive, but I do it when I stop in a traffic light. never text while driiving on a highway:) see this http://www.driving-permit-test.com/
Melissa
April 26th, 2010
at 2:01pm
Oh my, I am sincerely sorry to read about those of you that have gotten in accidents and/or may have lost someone to texting while driving. My heart goes out to you… you SERIOUSLY need to join the crusade I am on… I am telling EVERYONE about the solution to this “epidemic” (I hate using that word) but many consider it that on the news media etc.
I MUST say, my family and friends are taking REAL well to either STOPPING the texting ALL together or AT LEAST Paying $9.95 per month for the service offered through http://TelecomSlayer.com I told you guys about on the previous posts.
I am sure MANY of you will be happy to read, that those that will not stop, ALL have subscribed to the http://TelecomSlayer.com service at the very least.
I AM SO Happy for them and there families…
Have an AMAZING week!
Melissa