I think you're a little quick to necessarily pass judgement, Mr. Henry. My brother-in-law received a similar ticket. Someone called, his phone rang, he glanced at it to see who was calling (did not answer the phone), and bingo--got a ticket for that. He was stopped at a red light at the time.

When we first had the ban on texting and non-hands-free cell phone use in CA, I was all for it. (And I'm still anti-texting while driving.) But I have relatives in MA, where there is no such law about cell phone use. People drive and talk with a phone in their hand all the time. And I've noticed that it's not any significantly more dangerous to drive in MA compared to CA. Cell phone in hand or not, distracted driving is distracted driving. Those who can drive and talk safely, do just that. Those who are distracted by their cell phone, or the color of their nail polish, or the sandwich they're eating will always be just that: distracted. Not that I want to give them any more stuff with which to distract them from the main task at hand--driving. But now when I see someone on their phone while they're driving, I don't get all self-righteously pissy. If they're driving safely, they're driving safely. If they can drive and talk and chew gum all at the same time without compromising my safety, more power to them.

Impared driving and it drives me crazy when I see people do it. We have this law in WA. It does no good. I have seen no difference. I have a 10 minute drive to work and see multiple people everyday on their phones. I can usually spot them ahead of time. Car moving a bit slower than traffic, zig zagging a bit. Idiots.

I don't think anyone can text and drive well. Texting and talking are different.

I'm inclined to agree with jyl, but I'm sure there are exceptions.

I have about a 15 minute commute and rarely ever get a call in the evening unless there is an emergency in the lab and I just left. Other than that... people can wait 15 minutes to hear from me. Again I have blue tooth to answer those calls.

The morning on the other hand, I don't even want to see a phone. That's my quiet time drive into work to clear my head. I don't know what everyone has to talk about so bad in the morning.

Horray for more laws! I say we arrest anyone that doesn't have their hands at 10 and 2, eyes straight forward. Perhaps we also ban climate control, radios, and navigation devices?

Texting while driving is stupid, but so is this law.

Tragic Irony: Teen Dies While Texting The Dangers Of Texting And Driving


Tragic Irony: Teen Dies While Texting The Dangers Of Texting And Driving
Parents make plea to outlaw texting and driving in Idaho



Taylor Sauer, a college student driving home on a lonely road, was texting with a friend via Facebook when her car crashed into a tanker truck at 80 miles per hour, killing her instantly. The tragic irony of the situation was revealed in her phone records shortly after: At the time of the accident, she had been texting about the dangers of texting and driving.

Her last message, sent moments before the crash on Jan. 14, said, "I can't discuss this now. Driving and facebooking is not safe! Haha."

According to the phone records, Sauer, 18, was posting on Facebook about every 90 seconds.

"I think she was probably (texting) to stay awake, she was probably tired," Taylor's father, Clay Sauer, told Ann Curry on The TODAY Show. "But that's not a reason to do it, and the kids think they're invincible. To them, (texting) is not distracting, they're so proficient at texting, that they don't feel it's distracted driving."

Taylor's parents have since become activists in their home state of Idaho, trying to get the government to pass laws against texting while driving.

(See the clip from TODAY above).

Because of texting-while-driving deaths like this one, the federal government is moving to limit in-vehicle communications technology that turns cars and trucks into virtual rolling smart-phones.

Last month, U.S. Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood announced a new set of proposed distracted driving guidelines for automakers that would limit the use of in-car tech solutions that are "not directly relevant to safely operating the vehicle, or cause undue distraction by engaging the driver's eyes or hands for more than a very limited duration while driving."

Specifically, DOT is recommending automakers withhold technology packages that require both hands to operate or that could take a driver's eyes from the road for more than two seconds. Further, DOT wants technologies that require detailed input from the driver to be disabled while the car is out of park. That would include text messaging and internet browsing along with such tasks as address entry into navigation systems and manual phone dialing.

Future guidelines may include recommendations to manufacturers of aftermarket devices like smart-phones, portable GPS units and tablet computers. It's important to note that these guidelines are recommendations, not mandates.

The controversy that will play out in the coming months and years is obvious: Drivers are so attached to mobile devices that if automakers don't keep innovating ways to stay connected hands-free, people will inevitably be drawn to using their mobile devices in ways that, it can be argued, are more dangerous.

To read more on incidents of texting tragedies, try reading: Death By Texting, about a Michigan man convicted under a new state law, and More Death By Texting stories.

I knew this would be a good discussion.

I couldn't agree more with this thought. The topic of cell phone usage has been discussed a number of times on this forum. I have previously stated this; contrary to what some may want to believe, one cannot multi-task with any degree of efficiency. I also recall a statement by a board member,(RWebb maybe??) aircraft cockpit protocol & procedure consists of 3 distinct & separate tasks & are performed in the following order: aviate, navigate, then communicate. I might add, these tasks were drilled into us in 'ground school'. The whole cultural thing of cell phone usage while driving should eventually be made a form of "antisocial behaviour", in the same manner as DUI. I realize this will be a difficult & big step given the present & entrenched attitudes of some of the general public. It is becoming quite hazardous 'out there' & there have been more than a few unnecessary tragedies that have occurred on our streets & roadways directly related to driver distractions. Apologies if my 'rant' constitutes a thread hi-jack. The subject of cell phone usage while driving really pi$$es me off!

Respectfully
JB

By that logic, we also need to ban conversation.

Good story from a former co-worker.....

Many years ago he was driving by the city park in my hometown of Manhattan, KS. The park is right by the Kansas State campus, and more importantly pretty close to many of the sororities and college apartments. In the summer there's lots of good, um, scenery to be had. So he's driving past the park checking out the views, and suddenly hits another driver head-on. The speed limit is only 30 MPH and neither is seriously hurt, but after some conversation they both admit they had been checking out the women instead of watching the road. When the cops show up they both admit fault, checking out the scattered ass and drifting into each other. The cop's reply was classic. "Boys, I can't put that in a report. I'll just say you swerved to avoid a dog". :D

And changing the radio station and the climate controls.

Couldn't agree more.

I share your concern 100%

Our country is going down the ****ter because we give up too many rights foolishly (like the entire TSA's existence)

Ok so for those who dont like the law, one simple question...

Whats the solution??? ( and dont give me that driver education bull****...)

Just enforce the laws already on the books... reckless driving...etc..

Anyone dumb enough to be texting while driving needs to have a serious accident (hopefully not injuring anyone else)

I have no tolerance for texting while driving. If you get caught it should hit you where it hurts before you kill someone. Not sure of the solution but I've had too many close calls and the offenders just don't seem to care so they need to get whacked with something that will get their attention.

I ran three errands yesterday. Approximately 15 miles. I'll bet I saw nearly every possible traffic infraction. Enforcement is zilch. Motoring is chaos.

Here is a solution. Car companies already have the tech to disable your GPS and video controls while the vehicle is in motion assuming you have it stock.

In Pennsylvania we have to under go yearly inspections.

Develop a technology that disables text messaging, data and GPS controls on your phone. The vehicle will need to be in park to re-enable these features. It will work through the wireless tech and be matched to your phone, so you don't affect other around you or passengers in the car. Along with this tech if a bluetooth is activated you can still make and take phone calls via hands free. If no bluetooth is connected then the phone call feature is also disabled expect Emergency 911.

Then every year when your car gets inspected, if there is any sign of tampering you automatically get a fine.

This will get rid of the problem, and avoid constitutional rights and privacy from being violated.