Thread: Outlaw Texting while driving ?

So Senator Schumer of New York has put forth a bill for a federal law against texting while driving. It has my support for what little that is worth. How about you ? Here are some links to articles on the topic and scientific studies showing that it is more dangerous than driving drunk.

It's against the law in MN already. I think it is dangerous. I've lost count at the number of drivers, most of them younger that veer over the dividing line into my lane and then correct abruptly when they're coming toward me. Some I've had to actually pull onto the shoulder to evade them. When we pass, they're staring at their cell phone, not talking on it.

Chris L

Yeah Chris I've seen that too. My main concern is I ride bicycles on the road a lot and I would hate to get creamed by some jerk who can't wait until they can safely do it to text. It ain't like walking and chewing gum.

As much as I think it is idiotic to text and drive I don't see the use in adding another law to the books. If they already think they are clever enough to drive and text at the same time they likely think that they are to clever to be caught and any cop that would pull over someone who is texting while driving would note that they are driving recklessly before seeing that they are texting and there are already reckless driving laws on the books.

voted YES

crazy crazy drivers

I also vote for confiscation of the device + $ fine.

Most states have even the lesser charge of inattentive driving on the books so this is just another feel good in front of the cameras laws....

Now if yer state does not then by all means pass the new law....

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Most states have even the lesser charge of inattentive driving on the books so this is just another feel good in front of the cameras laws....

Now if yer state does not then by all means pass the new law....

There are 36 states that don't have the law and mine is one of them. Call me dumb but I hate seat belts. I never used them until getting this 2001 van I've been driving for the past 8 years.

The reason I began using them is because they made it a law and not using them is punishable by an $80.00 fine.

If they make it a law and it saves one person it is worth it .... especially if I'm that one person.

I voted yes.


There are enough people out there driving that are dangerous enough when they are (well maybe their not) focusing on driving. I am in the volunteer fire department in my town. Being a volunteer we do what ever needs being done if we are comfortable doing it. For example, I will go into burning buildings but not on the roof. There are times I wind up doing fire police work and directing traffic when we close parts of a road. Gotta tell you, this is as dangerous as going into burning buildings, if not more so. I really can't understand how some people get from point a to point b without killing themselves and/or someone else. About 6 months ago we had a fireman from a neighboring town directing traffic on the major road. He was mowed over by some idiot doing 65mph trying to reach the phone he dropped on the floor of his car. Flashing lights, road flairs, reflective vests and waving florescent red flags and this guy saw none of them or just ignored them.

Texting on top of the every day distractions is well beyond some of their capabilities and I really would rather not be scraping people off the road, digging them out of wrecks or pealing them off trees because they lost focus while driving and texting.

I voted no

but I think texting while walking should definitely be outlawed

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I voted no, but I think texting while walking should definitely be outlawed

Predictable that you would be one of the "state's rights" guys.