Texting Behind The Wheel Should Be Same As DUI

A new statistic says that almost all people want texting while driving banned. Half of those people want the punishment to be the same as drinking and driving. Not to be a jerk but, every time I read statistics like these can’t help but wonder, if this “97% of the all people” figure is accurate…who the hell is left texting while they are driving?

Nearly all Americans say sending a text message while driving should be illegal, and about half say texting while behind the wheel should be punished at least as harshly as drunken driving, according to a recent New York Times/CBS News poll.

I see to many people text while they drive. I almost got hit 3 times TODAY because idiots can't wait till they are at the light to text.

nearly all americans? hmm i dont ever remember filling out a questionaire or poll asking me if i thought it was illegal..

thats about how legitimate these bogus polls are.. they get maybe 1000 people to actually do them and then claim everyone that answered it speaks for all americans..

yeah... but paying 25usd for a first fine makes most people just shrug it off.

"who cares, it's only 25usd?"

It should be harsher.

Originally Posted by jeremyshaw

yeah... but paying 25usd for a first fine makes most people just shrug it off.

"who cares, it's only 25usd?"

It should be harsher.

This! It should be much more than a parking ticket .. like at least $50. and second time like an infraction or something .. my 2 cents

Originally Posted by LOCO LAPTOP

I see to many people text while they drive. I almost got hit 3 times TODAY because idiots can't wait till they are at the light to text.

Wait, you think it is okay to do it at the lights? Eyes off the road is good at the lights? I see the infection is spreading.

Originally Posted by Kenworth

Wait, you think it is okay to do it at the lights? Eyes off the road is good at the lights? I see the infection is spreading.

I didn't say it was nor do I agree for texting at the lights. but it is better then driving while texting.

Keep your damn phone in your pocket while you're in the car. Period.

Driving under IMPAIRMENT. IMPAIRMENT

I agree.

I'm for lumping it all under "reckless driving" - and at a minimum, immediately suspending the license of anyone caught doing it. If you're not mature enough to make sure your attention is on the road when you're driving, you're not mature enough to have a license, period. Whatever the impairment of choice happens to be, you don't have the right to put everyone else's safety at risk.

You seriously think all people have the same capabilities? I send SMSs and emails every now and then while driving WITHOUT looking at the device. That's pretty much the same as changing my GPS destination or talking to someone else in the car. Yes if there's an idiot out there who can't do it properly but still does, he should be taken care of (individually and hopefully by natural selection).

Both txting and talking on a cellphone while driving was just last week made illegal here in NZ. I think it's great and penalties should be high.

A friend of mine was just about run off the road just a couple of days ago (after the law had passed) by some idiot who drifted into his lane because he was busy txting.

Originally Posted by Kenworth

Wait, you think it is okay to do it at the lights? Eyes off the road is good at the lights?

Yes.

Originally Posted by quixotic

You seriously think all people have the same capabilities? I send SMSs and emails every now and then while driving WITHOUT looking at the device. That's pretty much the same as changing my GPS destination or talking to someone else in the car. Yes if there's an idiot out there who can't do it properly but still does, he should be taken care of (individually and hopefully by natural selection).

Matterfact i am typing this while i'm driving at 105mph down the interested oops type interstate

Until the fines are harsh enough this sort of dangerous behaviour will continue. People caught using a cell phone while driving, in any way, should lose their license for 6 months. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and those who would jeopardize another's safety for their own convenience should not be on the road.
What the hell is so important that people can't wait to use their cell phones, until they are not driving?

You life isn't that interesting or important. You don't need to update your status on facebook to let everyone know just how boring you are - especially when you are trying to drive - they already know.

Driving is a privilege not a right. First-time texting-while-driving offenders should get a thumb or two broken.

Originally Posted by Skizzy

Yes.

careful when crossing the intersection, both as a pedestrian and as a driver.

Originally Posted by jeremyshaw

careful when crossing the intersection, both as a pedestrian and as a driver.

Normally when sitting at the light, you aren't crossing the intersection at that exact moment. Usually you are sitting at the light.

Originally Posted by Skizzy

Normally when sitting at the light, you aren't crossing the intersection at that exact moment. Usually you are sitting at the light.

No, this is for general crossing the intersection.

CA driver guide states you should look both ways at the intersection for people who are running a red light, before you cross the intersection.

This is one of the 'minors' (dunno if it made it to 'major', as the driving instructor stressed it a lot a while back) that would count against you, but not an autofail for driver liscense certification.


Texting while at the intersection.... if they are texting against the law, heck, even talking on the phone, what makes you think it will just be confined to the 'intersection'?

"oh, I didn't see it was a red light. It was green the last I saw it"

O really?

"yes officer"

what were you doing?

"looking out for... um...."

clinch!

Originally Posted by Draax

Until the fines are harsh enough this sort of dangerous behaviour will continue. People caught using a cell phone while driving, in any way, should lose their license for 6 months. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and those who would jeopardize another's safety for their own convenience should not be on the road.
What the hell is so important that people can't wait to use their cell phones, until they are not driving?

First time drunk drivers don't even lose their license most of the time. Not gonna happen.

And be careful what you wish for. If something like this were to ever happen, it would encompass a lot more than cell phones, and you could find yourself without a license and without a way to get to work or make a living, depending on where you live and the availability of public transportation.