no text'ing in Cali!

[joe603]

I say make it nationwide

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_...ailed

[TeflonG35]

<-- addicted to texting....

I will probably text on my way to work in an hour.

[zozoka1212]

I say make it nationwide

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_...ailed

+1

Agree.

zozox

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

It is a problem!

I try not to Talk, Text, email when in the car!

Plus We own G's and that is more fun that any thing on a phone!

But when I must.... I'm guilty of it too

DJ

[Warped161]

Good! They are trying to pass a similar law here on Long Island.

[phil4watching]

Good luck catching people! It's hard enough trying to catch people talking on cell phones, much less texting.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

If you drive in 5 O'clock traffic in Tampa you can see 9 out of 10 cars are talking on the phone!

Don't they have a law that doesn't allow you to talk on cell phone in NY?

[SVTCOBRA]

I say make it nationwide

[AZhitman]

I usually oppose such nanny-state restrictions, but I've had to take evasive action on several occasions from assclowns looking at a cell phone while driving.

I say if you're gonna pull them over for texting, give 'em a quick taste of a Taser while you're at it.

[Sentientbydesign]

I hate this!

There are a select few of us who are very capable drivers. Who can talk and drive or even text and drive (only applicable to those with Predictive Text who know their keypad, no double-thumb QWERTY!).

I can't do it with my current phone, but I was able to send complete messages without ever looking at my phone and with at least one hand on the steering wheel.

This cumulative rights removal is the same BS that we dealt with in grade school when one person messed up so the entire school had to suffer (yes, I realize it's more than 1 person).

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

This is true!.. I do know my keys on my HTC touch!

I don't even have to look at the Phone to type! All with one thumb lol!



DJ

[joe603]

Studies have shown that talking on a phone while driving is worse than driving drunk. Texting takes even more effort/hand-eye coordination...not something that most can do.

I've hated cell phones for years...this feels like a win to me.

I say if you're gonna pull them over for texting, give 'em a quick taste of a Taser while you're at it.

[Omegamerc]

The worse offenders are the teens that just learned to drive and they have a side kick or comparable, logging onto AIM/MSN/FaceBook and typing like crazy instead of paying attention to WTH they're doing... I rarely txt n drive unless im at a light, even then I try to refrain from it.

[Rivalry]

I hate this!

There are a select few of us who are very capable drivers. Who can talk and drive or even text and drive (only applicable to those with Predictive Text who know their keypad, no double-thumb QWERTY!).

I can't do it with my current phone, but I was able to send complete messages without ever looking at my phone and with at least one hand on the steering wheel.

This cumulative rights removal is the same BS that we dealt with in grade school when one person messed up so the entire school had to suffer (yes, I realize it's more than 1 person).

+1... I text while I drive all the time. Only read replies while I'm stopped, but don't have to look at my phone whatsoever to text. Besides, it's not like a cop sitting in his car could see above my door to check for an illuminated phone, lol.

[joe603]

no, but if they are involved in an accident, and it was discovered that they were text'ing, a ticket can now be issued for it. Then you have the obvious offenders that are blatantly doing it. Hell, I've seen people read newspapers while driving...

In the words of carlos mencia: Dee da dee!!

[G_whizz]

My co-worker was actually struck and killed by a dumptruck while he was driving because he went through a red light due to texting.

[SVTCOBRA]

I hate this!

There are a select few of us who are very capable drivers. Who can talk and drive or even text and drive (only applicable to those with Predictive Text who know their keypad, no double-thumb QWERTY!).

I can't do it with my current phone, but I was able to send complete messages without ever looking at my phone and with at least one hand on the steering wheel.

This cumulative rights removal is the same BS that we dealt with in grade school when one person messed up so the entire school had to suffer (yes, I realize it's more than 1 person).

Yep, I agree!!! I'm a great shot and always hit my target! Because some can't, there are those silly laws against discharging firearms in the city limits....

[SVTCOBRA]

no, but if they are involved in an accident, and it was discovered that they were text'ing, a ticket can now be issued for it. Then you have the obvious offenders that are blatantly doing it. Hell, I've seen people read newspapers while driving...

In the words of carlos mencia: Dee da dee!!

I used to drive a 15 passenger van back and forth to work (part of the City Of Charlotte vanpool program) and I saw people eating a bowl of cereal on the steering wheel going down the interstate!!! (Could see really good up that high in the van.)Yep, saw a lot of folks reading books and newspapers too.

[C-Kwik]

I hate this!

There are a select few of us who are very capable drivers. Who can talk and drive or even text and drive (only applicable to those with Predictive Text who know their keypad, no double-thumb QWERTY!).

Not saying this is you, but consider that everyone who sends text message while driving probably think they are one of these "select few". Regardless of if you hate the law or not, take one look around you on the freeway as you drive and you'll likely see several people on the phone and texting. Those who are holding a phone to their heads or texting are usually holding up traffic.

Frankly, though, what can possibly be so important that you can't pick up the phone using a headset or speakerphone and have a conversation? Let alone just wait until you get where you are going? People these days are way too dependent on the need to be in constant communication. Its seriously sad. I wouldn't be surprised if we start seeing cellphone addiction rehab programs pop up.

I can't do it with my current phone, but I was able to send complete messages without ever looking at my phone and with at least one hand on the steering wheel.

Being able to keep one hand on the phone doesn't ensure you can safely operate the vehicle. Even if the primary cause of an accident is not you, consider that every person's duty on the road also includes a reasonable effort to avoid an accident when possible. Emergency manuevers are hard to effect with only one hand. And in a panic situation, you might not be able to let go of your phone quickly or at all. Not to mention you take one thought process away from the road onto something else. Which means, you might be less aware of at least one potential hazard on the road.

Chances are most of the conversations people have through texting while driving are likely pretty casual. Its sad that any driver can consider that more important than the duty owed to the drivers around them...

[Sentientbydesign]

I agree regarding the "select few". I constantly see idiots on their phones causing major traffic problems.

I still move for a multi-level class C license. If I can prove that I am more a more capable driver with a far more capable vehicle, I should be given additional driving priviledges.

Those with severe visual imparement or diminished reflexes (usually due to old age) can have less driving priviledges (not driving at night possibly).

As for the one hand. I have a 6mt. If the phone is in my right hand, I can very easily grab the shifter with the phone still in hand and shift while steering with the left hand.

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

I think if you own a G you should be driving with windows down

And make that motor sing!

Don't listen to some one yack in your ear or hurt your eyes and fingers texting!

Drive and have fun burning that oil! FTW

[C-Kwik]

I still move for a multi-level class C license. If I can prove that I am more a more capable driver with a far more capable vehicle, I should be given additional driving priviledges.

Care to explain how to enforce it? Realistically and at no additional cost? And what real benefits would we see from it?

Those with severe visual imparement or diminished reflexes (usually due to old age) can have less driving priviledges (not driving at night possibly).

They already have restricted driving programs based on medical conditions.

As for the one hand. I have a 6mt. If the phone is in my right hand, I can very easily grab the shifter with the phone still in hand and shift while steering with the left hand.

Watch any good race car driver. Their hand will only be on the shifter long enough to shift the gears. Otherwise two hands will be on the wheel to maximize their ability to control the vehicle. Casually steering a car is much less demanding then the type of steering done when trying to avoid an accident. And rarely would you actually have a need to shift gears to avoid an accident, much less have the time to shift in such a situation...

[Tampa G35 Sedan 6MT]

To fix the problem of bad drivers in this country you need to make everyone drive a Gear Shift!

You go back to that and the bad drivers will not be able to do anything but drive!

Instant Fix!

DJ

[Ar878]

The worse offenders are the teens that just learned to drive and they have a side kick or comparable, logging onto AIM/MSN/FaceBook and typing like crazy instead of paying attention to WTH they're doing... I rarely txt n drive unless im at a light, even then I try to refrain from it.

+1A friend of mine was killed in a fatal accident because his car slid under an 18 wheeler while texting... His family had a candlelight service for him and friends and family spoke at the service about the accident and how much they missed him. His sister (16 yrs) went up to talk and one of the things she said was that people should stop texting while driving... Well a few days later, I see her driving her compact SUV down the road, eyes focused on her phone, going at least 40MPH in a 30...

[uncbeers]

I say make it nationwide

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_...ailed

I maintain there better be something severely wrong if it couldn't wait for the 20-30mins that I was in the car. Severe as in the world is imploding soon-of course, I'd figure that out eventually anyways...

I'll be better off alive and dealing with something late than if I get into a wreck or worse because it couldnt wait...

[kmckis1029]

im like you on this... i can txt and drive... i dont do it all the time... but when i do im still able to dodge that person on the cell phone not looking into the intersection.

but there is not a no txting rule in ga... not that i know of... but you have to have a hands free device.

[TeflonG35]

You have to know when to read the text. You have to know that driving and whats around you is more important then any message you receive. It also helps when you have your keys memorized and don't have to look down. Like everything else you should only do it responsibly.

Ive seen more accidents from people trying to find a song on an ipod then text messaging.

[marlin29311]

I agree that this should be made nationwide. While I agree with the statements Sentient has made in regards that there are people who can chew gum and walk at the same time, this is more of a "the vast majority" cannot. I know I am sick and tired of the 17 year old girl in her civic swerving in lanes becasue her bff Jill just told her that Mike kinda likes her but isn't interested in her the same way that she is interested in him but would still like to hookup possibly in the future but isn't sure what else to think and want to get coffee?

The majority of people do not posses the brain power to process multiple functions at the same time. Its just like the person that smokes, talks, and drives. They're even worse. Every time you step into a vehicle you are pulling the slide back on a loaded gun. Hell, there are people that can't even operate the car while concentrating on it!

I propose that instead of making licence classes like Sentient mentioned, I think everyone should be required to take a "get to know how to drive your car" class before they can get a licence, similar to the course the SCCA offers to youthful drivers. The simple road test that people take to get their licence is in no way indicitive of the person's ability to operate a motor vehicle. For nearly 4 years after getting my licence, I didn't have to parallel park once, it was only recently when I was living in Philly that I started to do it....

So I agree that there should not be texting or anything else that draws any attention away from keeping two eyes on the road at all times.

[zozoka1212]

^^^^^^^



zozo