Phone calls require that two people are able to engage at the exact same time to exchange information.

By communicating via text, people can respond when they are able and are not beholden to the recipient being available. In addition, text messaging can be done in situations where talking would be impractical, impolite, or impossible.

For instance, I am watching Breaking Bad on Netflix right now. I'm also posting on PPOT and carrying on two different text message conversations. That's four things at once. If I was talking, I would only be able to do one thing at a time.

For the record, texting and driving is bad.

I'd be surprised to see someone arranging business meetings with a Bluetooth headset during a DE. But talking to an instructor through a headset it quite common. The difference is shared context, or lack of shared context.

And if the argument is: "track driving requires more concentration than regular driving." That's true, until something unexpected happens on the road. Where the focused driver might avoid an incident the distracted driver, like the driver who's had a few drinks, is less likely to.

+1 Almost killed last week by a mental case teen girl texting while doing 80kmh. phone held down in lap area. Drifted into my lane and I had nowhere to go. I was riding my motorcycle at the time. I ended up kicking her car in the door to get her attention. Reported it to police.

Anyone who thinks that having a conversation with a passenger, is the same as talking on the bluetooth to someone who isn't in the car is mistaken.

When something unexpected happens, or things get busy, your passenger will shut up and let you concentrate. The phone call on the other hand will continue to demand your attention.

Do we need laws to control this stuff? Yes if people are too stupid to make sensible decisions themselves. So yes.

They just passed a distracted driving law here, and i think it's about time. It includes tons of stuff; shaving, talking on phone, texting, putting on makeup, etc.

As far as i'm concerned if it saves one life it's worth it, especially if that life is mine or my families.

As far a reading your phone, it dep ends what state you are in, in some states the cop can hookup a device and download your entire phone info no warrant required. Ridiculious...

Drivers on Cell Phones Are as Bad as Drunks - University of Utah News Release: June 29th, 2006

Study around the same time in the UK - just before they passed a $2000 fine and license points for not using a hands-free (and similar penalties for "distracted driving" even with a hands-free) - said they measured reaction times and judgement of 20-something drivers engaged in a cell conversation as comparable to retired folks in their 60's. Something to do with the concentration necessary to focus on the conversation.

Having been personally affected for life by a cell phone yapping/texting driver, I can only say one thing, people need to get a life big time if they are so lonely that they are desperate for continuous contact.

I was stopped in traffic and some a-hole on a cell phone wrote my motorcycle off, put me in the hospital for two weeks with another five months of rehab. That was two and a half years ago and I can feel that T2 nail and screws in my leg daily.

So users can choose to do what they want at the wheel. Problem is, I am fresh out of mercy and the next cell phone yapping a-hole is going to see my baseball bat driven right into their skull.

What you won't find in my car is a cell phone, coffee or cigarette, but you will find a driver...imagine that, a driver in a car...what an effing concept!!!!!!

Rant over!

I have not seen one valid reason against these laws, all I've seen is excuses.

"Nanny state".... we wouldn't need these laws if it wasn't for stupid people.

"Against my rights"... driving is a privilege not a right.

"I educate my kids properly"... good for you, what about other peoples kids?

"Ban changing the radio station and the climate controls"... if they are that bad of a design then yes.

"I was just looking at the phone, not actually making a call or texting"...really? How is this any different?

"Private correspondence"....How is time and date of an occurring offence relivant to this?

"So you guys have never talked to a passenger, consulted a map, changed the radio, looked for an address, yelled at a kid"....maybe, but again this is a very poor excuse.

"The sentiments in this thread mirror a generational divide"... so are you stating one generation is more responsible than the other?

Laws like these are made for a reason, like the fact people have been injured or killed because of it and people are stupid enough to do it.

Actually I have, many times. I've also told them "not now" when traffic conditions are hectic at an interchange.

For some reason, people feel more "obliged" to carry on a conversation on a phone than with a passenger.

I've also searched my waypoint database on my handheld GPS while on an Interstate...the difference is, I'm not doing it where there is an exit/entry and I'm doing so with nobody in sight as far as I can see ahead or behind me. I can also maintain my lane which I can't say for too many drivers.

To those who think yapping/texting is fine while driving, I hope you get a pilot who is texting on approach with an engine out or on fire. Good luck to you! My passengers get told to stay quiet when I entered a controlled area or pattern.

Traveller, the way you quoted me, by changing my quote, makes it look out of context.
I know what you're trying to say, but please don't do that in the future.

I realize that now. You were quoting what the general public might think or say.

The start of each sentence has quotes, all the quotes are from this thread. I may have abridged them for space, but I didn't change the context.
I've edited them to appear in bold, sorry if there was any confusion.

texting and driving is just plain stupid. I am glad PA finally put this ban into law.

There seems to be a consensus of sorts here. The problem of enforcement of cell phone usage regulations (proposed) is going to be the real b1tch.

Cheers
JB

I guess the most amazing thing to me is that so many people feel a "need" to talk or text while driving. I think it is like the cigarette smoker that thinks the car will not run if a cigarette is not lit. I really believe it is more of a habit that they feel they HAVE to talk or text with someone. I never text and drive, and the few phone calls I have in the car are very short and only if there is little or no traffic. If it is more than that I will pull over and talk.

On a regular basis I will pull up to a 4 way stop and all the other drivers will have a phone stuck to their ear.

you know that scene in Silverado where the guy backs out of a saloon on the corner of a street, draws both guns and shoots 2 gunslingers at once??

looking back on this, It is now 2014 and cops don't do anything to stop people in Pennsylvania from texting and driving. There are so many people that I pass everyday that are texting or their phone is just in their hand while driving. My 911 is way to loud to even carry a conversation and my phone is mounted in the window as a digital speedometer using gps. No way to possibly text or hold in my hand especially during my spirited driving. I need my hands on the wheel or gear shifter at all times...lol.

Law or no law, does it really make a difference? They are still going to do it. The law must make it hurt and with steep fines so they wouldn't do it again. I was sitting at a stop about to enter the old Pasadena fwy when a young woman nailed me doing about 50 right into the front of land cruiser. She hit me at an angle and throw me on the curb. This was one of those 5mph exit and she completely missed it. How the F can one not see the 90degree curve? Destroyed my vehicle and my little boy was in the car with me. Thank goodness we were both fine. I had a couple of bruises. She sat there on the curb making sure putting on her makeup and the hair was back up to standard. Air bag went off and f'k up her hair. I saw her coming with the phone in hand as she look surprise a split second before impact. I informed the cops about it and they didn't do siht about it but exchanged info for us. I think they were sitting on top of the bridge and saw the whole thing. There were there within 2 minutes. 5-10k fine and impound of vehicle would be ok with me. I don't text, but I do talk on the phone when driving but it usually last 30 sec. to 1 minutes.

A co-worker got hit $350.00 for using the gps feature on the google maps app on his I Phone..........
Freaking photo radar and red light cameras make me feel like big brother really is watching..
I'm an old man now I guess cause this schit pisses me off.
I get 40 plus emails and texts a day and am always on the road......the temptation to check sometimes is almost overwhelming.
Drive safe my friends