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Gadgets American Teens Ignore Text and Drive Bans
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - December 11, 2009 10:33 AM
Print 115 comment(s) - last by Zhukov.. on Dec 31 at 10:46 AM
"Nobody is going to listen," says teen

Cell phones are such a part of everyday life for many Americans that most no longer think about pulling a mobile phone out to send a text or message; it's just natural. Unfortunately, the tendency to just send text or reply to them is dangerous when driving.

Many states and cities are working on bans that would prohibit texting while driving and some are calling for a nationwide ban on the practice. A study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 1-in-4 teen drivers admit to texting while driving. Analysts believe the number is much higher than what is being reported.

Reuters reports that even if a nationwide ban on texting while driving were introduce, most teen drivers would not stop texting. Texting is so ingrained into the life of teens that they simply will do it any way according to one teen interviewed by Reuters named Karen Cordova. She said, "Nobody is going to listen."

One of the problems is that for police to write citations for texting while driving they have to catch the driver in the act. Catching people talking on the cell phone and driving is easy to do, but if the driver is texting with the device in their lap things are much more difficult.

The California Highway Patrol has issued 163,000 citations to drivers for talking while driving on the phone, but issued only 1,400 citations for texting and driving.

Fran Clader, CHP spokesman said, "The handheld cell phone is relatively easy for us to spot, we can see when somebody has their phone up to their ear. But with the texting it's a little bit more of a challenge to catch them in the act, because we have to see it and if they are holding it down in their lap it's going to be harder for us to see."

One teen interviewed by Reuters said he only stopped texting while driving after his cousin was in a serious accident while texting.

Steven Bloch from the Automobile Club said, "What I would say is that texting and cell phone devices have become such a component of life for teens and for young people that it's hard for them to differentiate between doing something normal and doing something wrong."

Texting and driving is very much like other risky behavior that many engage in when young. Young people tend to feel like nothing can happen to them, that it will always be there other people who have accidents or get caught. Cordova said, "By the time they pull you over, the chances are you are going to be done with your text anyway so they can't exactly prove that you were texting."

A graphic commercial aired in the UK to help stop texting and driving showed teens in an accident caused by texting and driving.

President Obama recently signed an executive order banning federal employees from texting while driving.


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How about a scare tactic instead
By Simozene on 12/11/2009 10:44:38 AM , Rating: 3
Teens don't realize how dangerous it can be to be texting while driving and because it is so difficult to catch, a ban probably wouldn't do anything.

A possible alternative would be to get some interviews from people that have been in accidents due to texting while driving and make commercials out of them. Throw in some images of the crash and show them in the hospital looking like hell. Basically a scare tactic to make teens think twice about texting while driving.




RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By DigitalFreak on 12/11/2009 10:48:04 AM , Rating: 5
I don't think that worked for drunk driving...


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Bender 123 on 12/11/2009 10:52:05 AM , Rating: 5
My drivers ed class had a video called "Last Night of Summer"...I am now 30 and my high school friends and I still laugh about it every time we hit the bars. Those videos are always so lame that they encourage people to not act like the "good" people on the video.

Please see the "Butt Out" episode of South Park for further instructions.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Gzus666 on 12/11/2009 9:25:47 PM , Rating: 4
My drivers ed class had a video of a real drunk driver wreck aftermath that involved people who were trapped and burned alive in their car. They showed the charred corpses and everything. That seemed to have some interesting affects on everyone.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By BruceLeet on 12/12/09, Rating: 0
RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Bender 123 on 12/12/2009 6:52:30 PM , Rating: 2
Yes...It is possible to go back to my home town and go out for drinks with people from my high school days...Drivers Ed was always a little odd for us, because the owner of the school was a little nuts (His Drivers Ed cars were a camaro and and one of those old school hummers)...South Park has been on for 13 year (It started when I was IN high school!)

Dont forget...Bart Simpson is my age.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Fracture on 12/14/2009 9:48:05 AM , Rating: 2
Make driving tests harder . Age is irrelevent to this story.

People that focus on the road tend to be the better drivers.


By Bharakrama on 12/14/2009 10:37:29 AM , Rating: 2
I totally agree with you. We should change the way we learn to drive by taking some cues from the Swedes.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By SublimeSimplicity on 12/11/2009 11:44:48 AM , Rating: 5
I've got a witty reply, but I'm driving in the rain down an interstate at 85mph. I'll post it when I hit a construction zone and have to slow down a little.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Alphafox78 on 12/11/2009 12:38:02 PM , Rating: 2
ok so where is it


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By ggordonliddy on 12/12/2009 2:01:28 AM , Rating: 4
quote:
ok so where is it
He's dead, Jim.


By Bharakrama on 12/14/2009 10:34:31 AM , Rating: 2
HAHAHAHAHA ... oh that made my morning.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By MrBlastman on 12/11/2009 12:51:48 PM , Rating: 5
Remember, the workers are worth 10 points apeice and the foreman is worth 20 points + a mph bonus multiplier! If you're able to chain them properly you get the uber score doubler too. :)


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By MrFord on 12/11/2009 3:26:08 PM , Rating: 2
+1 for Carmageddon reference


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Hiawa23 on 12/11/2009 3:19:09 PM , Rating: 1
Forget the teens, I see adults texting while driving & at stop lights. You can't police people in their own automobiles.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Gzus666 on 12/11/2009 9:23:43 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Forget the teens, I see adults texting while driving & at stop lights. You can't police people in their own automobiles.


It's true, you would need some sort of force to police them, like a "police force" if you will. Some day...


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Zoomer on 12/14/2009 3:09:22 PM , Rating: 2
I don't see a problem if they are using it at stop lights, assuming the light wasn't in their favor.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By rudy on 12/12/2009 4:09:10 PM , Rating: 2
Or drugs or using condoms or anything else.

The point is Teens are at a rebellious time of their life the parents are the best deterrent and threats of loss of their driving rights as well.


By kufeifies on 12/16/2009 7:46:54 AM , Rating: 2
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RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By HotFoot on 12/11/2009 10:47:23 AM , Rating: 5
I think you have a good point. Drinking and driving has been so vilified that, I think, more people are paying attention.

At this point I have to stop and boggle at human behaviour. I don't know anyone who hasn't had a friend or family member injured or even killed in a vehicle accident. This doesn't mean I'm paranoid when I go out and drive, but defensive and responsible driving is such an obvious choice.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By KingstonU on 12/11/2009 10:53:50 AM , Rating: 2
Make everyone watch 7 Pounds? *SPOILER ALERT* That entire movie was about a car accident that happened due to Will Smith's character checking a message on his cell phone while driving.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By HVAC on 12/11/09, Rating: -1
RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Iaiken on 12/11/2009 11:25:26 AM , Rating: 5
You forget that teens think they are indestructible... Hell, I know I did when I was in high school.

It seems like a ridiculous mentality to me now, but I used to always think "yeah, but that will never happen to me". Now that I've made it well into adulthood, it still hasn't happen to me, but I am well aware of what CAN happen to me because of even a momentary lapse of responsibility on the road.

Just this summer I was almost witness to a young lady getting hit by a car making a right at a complex intersection. The light was red and she was crossing right in front of me and a BMW came up in the right turn lane at speed. As the pedestrian came out from in front of my car I realized this jackass probably wasn't going to stop in time. Despite being under full braking, he only missed her because she had the presence of mind to dart back the way she had came. I got a good look at Chaz LeDouche reading a text on a cell phone, he didn't even bother to put it down and just drove off oblivious to the lesson he should have learned.

What lesson?

If you're going to hop in a 2000+ lb pile of metal and glass and proceed to hurtle down the road in it, focus on that to the exclusion of all else.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By MrBlastman on 12/11/2009 12:43:33 PM , Rating: 5
You forget to mention that these snots that are driving them think that it is their right to be a douche to society and not pay attention because the Constitution guarantees them their freedom of speech. Like I mentioned in another post, it all starts with proper parenting to fix the problem before they sprout.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By plimogs on 12/11/2009 2:34:44 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
proper parenting to fix the problem before they sprout


You are talking about abortion, correct?


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Hieyeck on 12/14/2009 2:34:01 AM , Rating: 2
Just like the Plain Janes that think it's their god-given right to drive at 30 on the passing lanes of a highway.

Just like old people that think it's their god-given right to drive at all when they can't see 10 feet in front of them and have the reaction time of a sloth.

Every group of people will have their problems. I know plenty of under 25 drivers I'd trust more than someone with 25 years of "driving experience".


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Yawgm0th on 12/11/2009 11:38:09 AM , Rating: 4
quote:
A possible alternative would be to get some interviews from people that have been in accidents due to texting while driving and make commercials out of them. Throw in some images of the crash and show them in the hospital looking like hell. Basically a scare tactic to make teens think twice about texting while driving.
That works great for pot and cigarettes.


By sprockkets on 12/13/2009 4:44:49 PM , Rating: 2
Yeah, if you want to prevent children from smoking, just remove the age requirements on it.

That way, it won't be "cool" anymore to do stupid stuff that only adults get to do.

Just about every person I knew in high school regretted smoking when they made it into college, because they had no friends to show off to and by that time smoking is legal for them.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Boze on 12/11/2009 12:39:42 PM , Rating: 3
You want a scare tactic? Make it a federal offense to text while driving with five years in prison and a $100,000 fine, no possibility of early parole, and no possible reduction of sentence in any court, anywhere. Ever.

And try all the teens as adults.

I promise you, little Mary Sue being forced to lick Big Mama Bertha from age 16 to 21 or Bob being pounded in the rear by Bubba from 17 to 22 will ensure they never even look at a cell phone while driving.

If you want to stop any behavior, make the consequences so harsh that no one considers it. And no, I don't interested in hearing anyone's moronic comparisons with murder or manslaughter. Texting is not the same as finding your girlfriend in a double penetration scene after coming home from 10 hours of work in the rock quarry, and putting your pickaxe through their heads.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By WW102 on 12/11/2009 3:13:20 PM , Rating: 4
What makes you think that will work? Where has something like proven to work? Murder has some stiff sentences and yet it still happens.

In any case this should be handled at the state & local level not the federal level.

Also,

quote:
Texting is not the same as finding your girlfriend in a double penetration scene after coming home from 10 hours of work in the rock quarry, and putting your pickaxe through their heads.


Makes you sound like a nut job.


By Spookster on 12/11/2009 4:29:14 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
by WW102 on December 11, 2009 at 3:13 PM

What makes you think that will work? Where has something like proven to work? Murder has some stiff sentences and yet it still happens.


Singapore. They'll beat you with a 4 foot long rattan cane for many offenses. I guarantee it would only take one punishment to get it through the thick skulls some of these people. Just ask Michael Fay. I bet he won't ever vandalise anything in that country again.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Boze on 12/12/2009 1:53:24 AM , Rating: 1
I thought I already told you I don't want to hear from your crowd. Go back to your hole.

I already said crimes of passion cannot be lumped into the same category as answering, or composing, a text message. They are two entirely different things. The scenario you quoted would have been an example of someone committing murder as a crime of passion, instead of carefully selecting a target and gathering information on the best way to dispatch them and dispose of the body, more formally known as pre-meditated murder.

I thought you'd be smart enough to recognize the difference, but apparently I overestimated humanity once again.

Now to the guy that posted about Singapore further down, I spent about two weeks there when I was in the Navy, and we had a laundry list a mile long of things that would ensure we got the hell beat out of us by a frustrated little guy with a wet rattan cane (wet canes don't break, that's why they soak 'em in water) until he got tired of hitting us.

I promise you, when you start making severe punishments for infractions that can have potentially severe results, you will get results.

Want results even faster? Require that the canings be televised on every single station allowed to broadcast in America, on every single American-owned media web site (Hulu.com, YouTube) during a certain time, and I will put up any amount of dollars you want on a bet that texting will drop off dramatically.


By Spookster on 12/12/2009 10:13:07 AM , Rating: 2
Yeah I made a couple of port calls there myself while in the Marines. They had like crazy large fines for little things like not flushing a public toilet or littering.


By AEvangel on 12/12/2009 10:19:37 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
You want a scare tactic? Make it a federal offense to text while driving with five years in prison and a $100,000 fine, no possibility of early parole, and no possible reduction of sentence in any court, anywhere. Ever.


You sir are a moron....let me see a victimless crime demands a punishment harsher then one that has a victim i.e. robbery or assault?

I personally think that this like drunk driving should not be a crime unless there is a victim or an accident.

Cause by the standards your setting with texting and drunk driving the same could be said if someone is seen driving and playing with their radio or driving while eating. All are distractions and can lead to an accident.

Really when you think about it texting, eating or playing with your radio is worse then drunk driving since your completely un-impaired while doing so and you make the decision to do it. The whole concept of drunk driving being worse is silly since the basis is that you lack the mental capability to drive and make the correct judgments while driving, yet you expect that drunk person to make the right decision to drive or not.

Distracted Driving is the same no matter what the reason for it and all should be punished the same, by the amount harm they cause the victim.


By Triple Omega on 12/12/2009 10:24:01 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I thought I already told you I don't want to hear from your crowd. Go back to your hole.

Strange how the Internet doesn't bend to your will. I really thought you could cancel out someones right to freedom of speech by telling them you didn't want to hear from them. Weird stuff.

quote:
I promise you, when you start making severe punishments for infractions that can have potentially severe results, you will get results.

Strange then that the USA has such a high rate of crime while the punishments there are on average much higher then in European countries. It's also pretty weird that crime-experts call american jails the "colleges of crime" and that the number of re-offenders in jail is so high. All that while you say putting people in jail for texting while driving will stop them breaking the law. The experts and numbers are clearly wrong here.

Seriously, increasing punishments to levels that no longer represent the offense is never a good thing. That is precisely the reason why the USA houses 25% of the worlds inmates while only representing about 5% of the worlds population.

It is more important to make people understand why you are punishing them. Increased punishments aren't going to change the way people look at offenses. Morals aren't affected by levels of punishment, they are by the views of other people.

Actually far more important is trying to prevent the offenses from happening in the first place. So trying to change the moral standpoints of people rather then to try and instill them with fear of punishment, as that will never work.


By MadMan007 on 12/13/2009 5:14:41 PM , Rating: 2
Sounds like you'd support a Shariah law system.


By Reclaimer77 on 12/11/2009 1:53:29 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Teens don't realize how dangerous it can be to be texting while driving and because it is so difficult to catch, a ban probably wouldn't do anything.


Teens don't realize the danger of doing ANYTHING. Why should texting be any different ??

I did a TON of crap when I was a teenager that was reckless, dangerous, careless and unsafe. So did you, and so did all these idiots passing laws like this.

You can't govern teenage behavior. Many have tried, all have failed. Only PARENTS can do that, and even then it's a crap shoot.

quote:
A possible alternative would be to get some interviews from people that have been in accidents due to texting while driving and make commercials out of them.


Lmao like the "this is your brain on drugs" commercials, or all the scare tactics used to stop teen drink driving ? They don't work !


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By kd9280 on 12/11/2009 2:35:59 PM , Rating: 2
My sister (23) just got into an accident over Thanksgiving. Car was totalled, she was hurt (not severely) and she was given a citation because the witnesses all said that she went through a red light after an illegal pass.

I wouldn't doubt that the reason was because she looked down at her phone to answer a text. She always has it there, and she's always getting texts. It scares the hell out of me to drive with her, and that's primarily the reason I get a rental car when I visit my parents rather than just take the train which tends to be cheaper.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By lecanard on 12/11/2009 4:32:05 PM , Rating: 3
I think they should just order the networks to shut down SMS services for a year to get these idiots to stop being so addicted to texting that they insist on risking the lives of my family to do it every freaking minute.


By lecanard on 12/11/2009 4:40:33 PM , Rating: 4
OK, a more realistic solution should be to make the fine really high. Since the probability of getting caught is low, they need to compensate with a harsh penalty. Maybe take away the license for a year too. In California the money being taken from idiots who text while driving can be used to fund the education system so people can afford to go to Universities of California again (which had to raise tuition because of the budget problems). Take from the dumb and give to the smart is a good policy. If you disagree, it's obvious which group you're in.

Sorry, this post got less serious as I went along.


By beerhound on 12/12/2009 3:59:21 PM , Rating: 2
How about this: We have the V chip that allows parents to block certain TV channels. How about a "T chip" to be installed in vehicles that would send out a signal to tell the cell phone to block all texting features while the engine of the car is running. Require it on all cars made after 2010. Then pass a law that allows the insurance company to require it to be retro fitted to older vehicles if they are going to cover a teenage driver in that vehicle. Also require all new cell phones to be programed to honor the T chip signal. How about it, would it work?


By jonmcc33 on 12/11/2009 5:27:49 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Teens don't realize how dangerous it can be to be texting while driving and because it is so difficult to catch, a ban probably wouldn't do anything.


Teens don't realize because they are young, naive and foolish.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By kfonda on 12/11/2009 7:26:21 PM , Rating: 5
How about suspending their license for a year. And just to deal with the people that drive with a suspended license, change the penalty for that to include forfeiture of their car like they do in some places with the drug laws.

We may not be able to stop them from texting, but I think we can stop most of them from driving.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By Perkins1986 on 12/11/09, Rating: -1
By chagrinnin on 12/11/2009 10:19:06 PM , Rating: 2
Hi! I'm Perkins1986. I'm one of those internet guys...


By scrapsma54 on 12/12/2009 3:34:54 AM , Rating: 2
I don't get it, Teens should be smart to realize its not rude to talk on the phone in the car, honestly. Texting should be for public and calling should be for at home and in public.
Seriously, There should be a manual how to use your phone wisely and intelligently.
Wisdom seems to be an lacking area however seeing as many of us at some point rather kill pedestrians in an oblivious state or ignore people.


RE: How about a scare tactic instead
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RE: How about a scare tactic instead
By kkuulr on 12/12/09, Rating: -1
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By kufeifie on 12/15/2009 9:03:00 PM , Rating: 1
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By kufeifie on 12/15/2009 10:10:27 PM , Rating: 1
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By kufeifies on 12/16/2009 9:18:13 AM , Rating: 2
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A solution...
By MrBlastman on 12/11/2009 10:46:37 AM , Rating: 2
Don't buy your kids cell phones. If they don't have them, they can't text. Problem solved.

Unfortunately, I think the majority of parents out there lack the fortitude to try and enforce that on their children. Since when did parents in this country become a bunch of pansies. I should know, my wife is a teacher and she hears _all_ _sorts_ of ludicrous stuff from her students parents.

I call this a "shrouded reality," where the parents refuse to see what is really going on with their child, distorted by their perfect mental picture of their "perfect child" that just couldn't have this problem or that. They all need to wake up. You aren't your kids friend, you are their p a r e n t.

Back in my day, if I wanted something and my parents said no, if I kept bothering about it I'd get a good slap on the behind or get thrown in my room and grounded for not respecting their authority. This doesn't happen often enough nowadays.




RE: A solution...
By R6Raven on 12/11/2009 11:06:27 AM , Rating: 3
Agreed. And God forbid you acted out in public. You'd get a beating in the store (the warning) and then the real whoopin' when you were home, behind closed doors, and out of earshot. Too many kids nowadays didn't get the "whoopin'" growing up, or they would know better.


RE: A solution...
By Iaiken on 12/11/2009 11:29:12 AM , Rating: 5
"White people, please beat your kids." - Russel Dominic Peters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwbc_v1xBAU


RE: A solution...
By Ghost42 on 12/11/2009 11:22:18 AM , Rating: 3
At one time teachers were once able to deal punishments to students.

But hey there is no chance that spanking your kids can result in child abuse allegations these days.. It's not like the poor precious snowflake may grow up socially defective and traumatized after being spanked and after all enacting laws where the parent can end up in jail for spanking their children "is the logical continuation of laws that banned slavery and protected women from being beaten by their husbands."

Right??

*shakes his head*


RE: A solution...
By MrBlastman on 12/11/2009 12:39:27 PM , Rating: 5
Yes, I have an Aunt who was a teacher back in the days that they allowed spanking--and it got results, fast! Nowadays, she laments at the fact that my wife has zero recourse against disruptive children in her classroom.

Making the kids run laps at recess--forbidden!

Making a child sit in the corner--forgetaboutit!

Forcing a child to keep their head on their desk while the rest of the class participates in recess--No way!

Getting a parent to take their child out of school early for being disruptive--Don't even try it, it will not end well!

Getting a child to laugh in your face because you can do nothing?--happens every day.

Yes, Teachers have no way to fight back it seems against the troublemakers anymore... why? Because of the hippy parents and their coddling lawyers, that is why. It is no wonder children act like brats these days.


RE: A solution...
By hadifa on 12/13/2009 6:57:06 PM , Rating: 2
No, it's the video games.


RE: A solution...
By jimbojimbo on 12/11/2009 5:32:21 PM , Rating: 2
Plus you can't beat kids because every single one of them have ADD now. 100% of them now whereas a few decades ago it didn't exist.


RE: A solution...
By chagrinnin on 12/11/2009 7:45:47 PM , Rating: 2
We all had it. Some of us just...

In 2nd grade I had a nun put me in a corner and made me spank myself with a broom. The spanking didn't hurt but the whole class laughing...

I met a teen in defensive driving that was on her 5th car,(totaled 1st 4), and she wondered why her car shook every time she used the brakes,...she had anti-locking brakes. Her mother also taught her if she hit an animal to go back and run it over again so it didn't suffer,...


RE: A solution...
By beerhound on 12/12/2009 4:04:29 PM , Rating: 3
I was a recipient of a couple of those paddlings and it was a motivator for me. I got much much better at not getting caught....


Appropriate times to turn off a cell phone
By HotFoot on 12/11/2009 10:44:15 AM , Rating: 4
It really seems we're ever more tethered to our mobile phones. Reckless behaviour while driving is unacceptable, but there are so many times we really need to just learn to turn off or ignore the phone. It's like people have forgotten that the text message will still be there an hour from now and most people have voice mail.

What I'm finding lately is that store clerks are having their cell phones at the cash register. As a customer, I'm highly unimpressed when I have to wait a minute for the clerk to finish an obviously personal conversation on their phone before they can serve me. I'm surprised so many businesses are so lax on this issue. What terrible customer service, and it does reflect on the entire establishment.




RE: Appropriate times to turn off a cell phone
By Lord 666 on 12/11/09, Rating: -1
RE: Appropriate times to turn off a cell phone
By Lord 666 on 12/11/2009 11:00:25 AM , Rating: 1
Forgot to add that I support banning texting while driving. I used to do it before my wife gave me a lecture about the kids in being in the car. I'll read it, but not start a thread or respond.


By Zhukov on 12/31/2009 10:46:29 AM , Rating: 2
So you admit that your wife is more intelligent than you are. And you still read your messages while driving. And you're teaching your kids how to do it. You obviously don't understand the concept of risk, or you believe that the risk doesn't apply to you, like those indestructable teenagers. The argument that parents have to raise their children correctly, presumably to learn about safety, is moot because there is no social incentive to teach the parents.


RE: Appropriate times to turn off a cell phone
By amanojaku on 12/11/2009 11:02:15 AM , Rating: 5
quote:
Personally, I see it as a freedom of speech violation because the state is dictating how we can communicate.
Freedom of speech is not about HOW you communicate, it is about your right to say what you feel without consequences. And speech is not truly free, either. Say "bomb" in an airport.
quote:
I've been driving with a cell phone since 1995 without any accidents.
Lucky you. There are numerous studies showing a texting driver to be just as unsafe, or worse, than a drunk driver.

Seriously, if it's that important pull over.


RE: Appropriate times to turn off a cell phone
By amanojaku on 12/11/2009 11:08:37 AM , Rating: 2
RE: Appropriate times to turn off a cell phone
By Wightout on 12/11/2009 2:46:20 PM , Rating: 2
So is talking to other people in the vehicle. So is messing with the radio. So is using a GPS unit. Its all about risk management. Driving is dangerous. You have a lot of mass moving at high speeds. Doing anything but watch the road and drive could be considered irresponsible and dangerous. But that doesn't stop anyone from doing other things while driving. Driving is boring alone. You step on a pedal and turn a wheel... o0o0o

We already have laws about driving recklessly why do we need another law for specifically txting? or cell phones? Is there one out there for reading behind the wheel yet? or is that still under the category of un"common" sense? Driving recklessly regardless of why/how you are doing it is driving recklessly.


By callmeroy on 12/14/2009 11:06:02 AM , Rating: 3
I clearly see the argument you are making and in some cases I agree with you -- ie. the radio, GPS, talking to another person, etc...

But c'mon you are making a huge leap to convince me that texting or emailing is at the same level of distraction as those three things I mentioned above....

Use some common sense -- texting and emailing is just stupid and by far among the worse things you could do while driving -- aside from being flat out drink , having some "fun" with your girl (you guys have to know what I mean on this one) or going "hey let's see how I drive with my eyes closed"....


By callmeroy on 12/14/2009 11:01:11 AM , Rating: 3
Excellent points to the previous poster, I just wanted to add...to the part where he said hoping a cop would pull him over because how you are "allowed" to use your phone for medical emergencies.....

A) That only gets you off the hook for the FINE of talking on the phone while driving, if you cause an accident from talking on the phone -- and its proven that your distraction was from talking on the phone YOU ARE STILL LIABLE and and AT FAULT for the accident -- regardless WHY you were talking on the phone....

B) Seriously...unless you are rushing straight to the hospital or had something happen to you WHILE already driving -- why the hell are you picking to call in a "medical emergency" while you are in the car to begin with? I mean if its that bad -- is it safe for you to drive to begin with, don't you want to call 911, get someone else to drive you, contact a family member of what's going on, etc.... Talking about the results of a health checkup is NOT a medical emergency.


By MrFord on 12/11/2009 3:49:52 PM , Rating: 2
What about being just plain responsible and do what seems logical when driving a car: drive it. Unless you wanna do like Peter Griffin and read your comics while driving...

Didn't take me a law to figure out that just talking on the phone for more than a minute is distracting enough, especially in traffic. Texting is just plain stupid even on a desolated road, even more on a busy highway or in town. It never crossed my mind that I could type a document on my laptop while driving, even less so on a 1/5th sized keyboard with a 2in screen typing with my thumb.
Also, text messages don't disappear magically if you don't answer withing the next 5 seconds. It can wait. And if your life is so busy and important, you should think about investing in a chauffeur and ride the back seat.

Driving a manual car does have an advantage: you have no free hands left to handle a phone while driving in traffic.


Penalties
By DigitalFreak on 12/11/2009 10:43:40 AM , Rating: 3
Make the penalty for texting or talking on a cell while driving be something meaningful ($1000 file, 30 days in jail).




RE: Penalties
By Iaiken on 12/11/2009 11:05:20 AM , Rating: 2
Forget that, governments should take action to remind people that driving an automobile is a privilege granted upon you by your nations respective department of transportation.

If you are texting while driving, your ability to drive is as impaired (or more according to some studies) than if you had been drunk. Simply change the definition of impaired driving to include texting while driving. People will think twice if there is a possibility of large fines, points against your license or even suspension or revocation of your driving privileges.

Sure you'll need to give a bunch of teens a throw back to riding their bikes, but anyone with a brain in their head will realize that texting while driving is just not worth the hassle.


RE: Penalties
By WW102 on 12/11/2009 12:14:20 PM , Rating: 1
Yeah I know anytime I have a problem I would like the government to fix it. Saves me the hassle.


RE: Penalties
By Boze on 12/11/2009 12:46:55 PM , Rating: 2
I know I'm walking into a trap but I can't resist...

You do realize that's the function of every government ever assembled right? To protect one group, or as many groups as possible, from the groups that don't give a damn and wanna do whatever they want, whenever they want, right?


RE: Penalties
By d3872 on 12/11/2009 11:47:33 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
Make the penalty... ...$1000 file, 30 days in jail


Yeah. There's no way a police officer would ever abuse that.


RE: Penalties
By lightfoot on 12/11/2009 4:06:44 PM , Rating: 2
It's a good thing that traffic violations can be disputed in court.

A police officer could also frame you for murder, it doesn't make society reduce the penalties for murder.

Sending a text message leaves an electronic signature that could easily be either proven or disproven in court.


RE: Penalties
By chagrinnin on 12/11/2009 8:06:06 PM , Rating: 2
...or do a South Park episode that makes texting while driving "gay". :P


Cell Signal Blocking!
By Simozene on 12/11/2009 11:28:29 AM , Rating: 2
Get a cell phone signal blocker and install it in your car in a hidden location. When your teens are driving their cell phone will have no signal and therefore they can't text anyways. When you drive simply turn off the signal blocker. :)




RE: Cell Signal Blocking!
By Bateluer on 12/11/2009 1:08:48 PM , Rating: 4
What if their parents need to call the child for an emergency situation? What if authorities need to use the cell phone to locate their crashed vehicle?


RE: Cell Signal Blocking!
By DotNetGuru on 12/11/2009 2:23:41 PM , Rating: 2
I think this is a good idea. I can imagine something like this becoming law in the future. Vehicle manufacturers and cell phone companies being required to implement something like this would likely work well.


RE: Cell Signal Blocking!
By Wightout on 12/11/2009 2:56:15 PM , Rating: 2
YEAH! and while the car companies are at it they can make it so that if your seat belts aren't fashioned the car wont start or go into drive! and how about everything that is unsafe or against the law made simply impossible to do!


RE: Cell Signal Blocking!
By lightfoot on 12/11/2009 4:14:31 PM , Rating: 3
I think that if the seatbelt isn't fastened the air bag should also be disabled; presumably the seat is unoccupied right?


RE: Cell Signal Blocking!
By TSS on 12/12/2009 8:36:41 AM , Rating: 2
Or you can raise your teens in such a way that when they drive, they won't text or call while driving, because they know it's irresoponsible and therefor don't do it.

Just a thought.


Just lock them up...
By Beenthere on 12/11/2009 12:32:07 PM , Rating: 3
Throw them in jail for 30 days for violation of law and suspend their license for a year.




RE: Just lock them up...
By lightfoot on 12/11/2009 4:20:29 PM , Rating: 5
Can't we just shoot them?


RE: Just lock them up...
By callmeroy on 12/14/2009 11:09:18 AM , Rating: 2
...or at least let the parents or spouse of the people they kill in accidents shoot them....


GPS and speed sensing
By mattclary on 12/11/2009 12:05:29 PM , Rating: 2
Most phones now have a GPS receiver in them. At a minimum, create a parental control that disables the phone while moving more than 5mph. Downside is, they can't text while riding either.




RE: GPS and speed sensing
By FishTankX on 12/11/2009 11:56:01 PM , Rating: 2
You could change that a bit, and make it so that if the vehicle is traveling over 5MPH, sending text messages cost $5. Enough to discourage use for chatting, but still allow for emergencies if you're a passenger. Teens will listen to anything that hits their wallets like a sledge hammer.

You could alternativley add a device in the back seats that would allow a phone to register as 'passenger' when plugged into the phone and avoid the charges.


RE: GPS and speed sensing
By Devo2007 on 12/12/2009 1:43:33 AM , Rating: 2
Only problem with the charging rule is that most teenagers aren't the ones paying their bills - it's the parents who buy them the shiny iPhone and pay the monthly plan.

I'd say if the car is in motion, make it ask for a security code that the parents (or someone the parents trust) would know if someone tried reading/sending a text. Also, make sure that any time the phone asks for the code, it sends a note to the cellular provider who can mark it on the customer's bill. Of course, a code entered incorrectly would also show (and maybe lock the phone to allow emergency use only while in motion).


So...
By Judguh on 12/11/2009 12:29:42 PM , Rating: 2
Essentially this is stating the obvious that teens don't listen? That's a shocker...




RE: So...
By Wightout on 12/11/2009 3:18:12 PM , Rating: 4
Nor do any of the other age groups.


"Nobody is going to listen,"
By WoWCow on 12/11/2009 11:40:12 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
"Nobody is going to listen,"


Sums up the consumers, parents, politicians, and teenagers all at the same time... Which is plain awful to think about

I remember watching a short series of commercials/film to educate students about seizures. The entire class broke down laughing because the acting was so bad. It was so bad the teacher had to pull it out and told the class he doesn't plan to show the video anymore.

In my perspective, I doubt any education video worked to stop terrible behavior from occurring. The videos only brings attention to bad behavior, not preventing or reducing its effect.




RE: "Nobody is going to listen,"
By djc208 on 12/11/2009 1:29:42 PM , Rating: 2
Right, drunk driving is illegal, driving without a license is illegal, speeding is illegal, hell having your headlights on with your windshield wipers is required by law in most states. Hasn't prevented adults from doing (or not doing) any or all of the above.

Not to say it shouldn't be illegal but our mindset regarding these laws is wrong. The concept is it's only illegal if you get caught, and when they do get caught the victim mentality kicks in to prevent people from accepting the fact they were breaking the law.


Hmrm
By seamonkey79 on 12/11/2009 12:29:20 PM , Rating: 2
Seems to me that the problem isn't cell phones, it's teenage drivers, 20-30 drivers, 30-40 drivers, 40-50 drivers, 50-60 drivers, 60-70 drivers, 70-80 drivers, 80-90 drivers, and all the other drivers that aren't covered here...

People are awful at driving. Being a person on the road most of the day driving, I've seen just about every stupid move made, and just as often they're not on a phone, texting or otherwise... they're just bad.




RE: Hmrm
By jimhsu on 12/11/2009 5:52:47 PM , Rating: 2
People talk about all the things that can go wrong with auto-driving, a computer behind the wheel, etc, but I really think it pales in comparison to driving right now.


By FORSAGE on 12/11/2009 1:37:30 PM , Rating: 1
You US people have very cheap/free SMS while phone calls are jolly expensive, therefore the problem with teens texting.

So here's the solution:

1. An enforced minumum SMS cost equal to 1 minute of voice call.
2. No cheap unlimited sms plans.
3. Make first 10-30 seconds noticeably cheaper so that customers would be compelled to be quickly done with their calls.

Voila, no teens mindlessly texting all day long.




By chruschef on 12/11/2009 6:29:01 PM , Rating: 2
while your idea is good, there simply isn't an effective way of getting to that in the US. T-mobile, and virgin mobile, tried to have pay as you go type deals but they've flopped entirely. for some reasons, americans don't like talk as you go.

imo, i think that a technological solution should be employed, like us humans have been doing for a long time. Negative incentives usually aren't quite as effective as positive incentives. the newer ford cars use a the microsoft sync stuff, a simple text to speech program could allow you to hear text messages; and then respond by speaking to the car. this probably wouldn't be a problem, because people who text and drive usually don't do it with other people in the car. (Because they'd probably feel guilty of texting and driving at the same time.)

Just to add, teens texting and driving? Yeah right. I have only seen adults texting and driving, never teenagers. though there are definitely teenagers who do, but i think the number of violators is vastly over estimated.


Like,
By chmilz on 12/11/2009 11:00:16 AM , Rating: 2
no way, like, really? Put down my phone? I have, like, a social life, duh. <crash. dead>




Watch the Eyes
By jdietz on 12/11/2009 11:31:59 AM , Rating: 2
If they're off the road, it's distracted driving.

Distracted driving is illegal in all 50 states. I'm not familiar with international driving laws.




Bad Article!!
By markitect on 12/11/2009 11:40:38 AM , Rating: 2
None of the statistics mentioned here are specifically about teens, and the fact that teens won't stop texting and driving seems to be based on 2 interviews. This is just bad reporting. I see more adults texting on their phones in traffic then I do teens. Granted most of my driving is done during rush hour, but I do not believe this is a teen problem, but a driver problem (and no I am not a teen).




"...most no longer think..."
By GlennAl on 12/11/2009 12:03:44 PM , Rating: 2
Duh. (And, sadly, this does not apply only to teens.)




By ChipDude on 12/11/2009 3:19:36 PM , Rating: 2
Just like drunk driving, unless we stiffen the penalties nothing will change.

Look at drunk driving, how many sad stories did it take before we tightened up penalties?

Every day, almost every intersection I see 1/5 on their cellphone and maybe 1/10 texting. Its only when we get a bunch of tragic stories will things change.

Bus driver kills all passengers, teenager runs over a bunch of kids.. you know the drill




Simple answer...
By croc on 12/11/2009 5:56:50 PM , Rating: 2
If caught in a dangerous driving incident, impound the car until the court date. If found guilty, the car goes off to the crusher, then gets deposited in their parking place...




By invidious on 12/11/2009 8:10:45 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
American Teens Ignore Text and Drive Bans
Its a good thing the teens in other countries aren't ignoring our laws, then you we would really be in trouble.

By the way I am posting this while driving on the freeway. But its perfectly safe because its forum posting and not texting, right?




text in the bus.
By IGBT on 12/11/2009 9:50:51 PM , Rating: 2
raise the legal age to drive. Make it 21 years old. "Teens" are the most reckless drivers and are the thrust behind ever increasing insurance rates. Let them do their "texting" on the bus.




Really?
By rburnham on 12/12/2009 2:43:25 PM , Rating: 2
I just find it sad that people need to be told to not do things that endanger other drivers.




Here is your scare tactic
By HomerTNachoCheese on 12/14/2009 3:29:52 PM , Rating: 2
If the link below does not work - search on YouTube or Google for "Texting While Driving PSA"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGE8LzRaySk

This should be one of those movies they show in Driver's Ed.




No $$@$ing @!*#?
By icanhascpu on 12/11/2009 6:21:41 PM , Rating: 1
All this was is money collection for failing government. They didnt give two shits about safety. Same with seatbelts.

If they gave half a shit about safety, you would get your licensed taken away for a month on the second offense at the least. Then a year on the third, jail-time and your car impounded on the fourth.

FUck the fines. Rich little shits dont give a crap about it. They WILL give a crap about jail-time.




By Beenthere on 12/12/2009 12:07:52 PM , Rating: 1
Locking up teens or anyone else who talks and texts is a good start because these folks are in denial and need a reality check. While shooting them as one person suggested would help cleanse the gene pool, I would save that for the second offense. The first time is a mistake. A second time should be the last time IMO because you didn't learn from your first mistake and punishment.




Wow...
By Freezebyte on 12/12/2009 1:30:14 PM , Rating: 1
Lets file this under the " No fucking shit sherlock"




fashion
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very goods
By kkuulr on 12/12/09, Rating: 0
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