Cell/Text while driving.... (law, dangerous, safe)

[mandmrossi]

Folks,
Wanted to know what folks may know if there is any legislation on the books about trying to pass a cell/text usage law while driving?
I was hit last week by someone driving 40 MPH and rear ended me all do to texting. I asked the police office if this is being tracked with accidents and he said no. I see so many folks texting and talking on phones while driving and it concerns me a bit.

Mike

[RainyRainyDay]

There's a long recent thread on this: Texting while driving - do you welcome a law to ban it? Story..

[Rockmama]

The National Safety Council is all over this right now. There's extensive lobby action to get it banned, unfortunately, it's up to the states (and cities) right now. For example, it's illegal to talk with a handset while driving in the city of Chicago, but in the suburbs there's no law yet. And, hands-free devices aren't under the same fire, though the distraction is just as big for drivers. It will be a long fight, just like it took a long time for seatbelt use to become the norm.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by Rockmama

And, hands-free devices aren't under the same fire, though the distraction is just as big for drivers.

I totally disagree with this assertion. I use a built in bluetooth handsfree system in my car, and I can dial with voice commands and pickup a call by pressing a single, steering wheel mounted button. I can also setup one touch speed dial contacts. It is not a distraction at all.

I am fully in agreement that we need to ban texting and any other activity that involves holding and using the phone in your hand while driving. I do not agree that using a totally handsfree system is dangerous or should be banned. There is nothing unsafe about it, and it's no more of a "distraction" than talking to someone else in the vehicle or listening to loud music, and probably a hell of a lot less of a distraction than the mom who has 3 screaming kids in the car throwing stuff around.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by mandmrossi

Folks,
Wanted to know what folks may know if there is any legislation on the books about trying to pass a cell/text usage law while driving?
I was hit last week by someone driving 40 MPH and rear ended me all do to texting. I asked the police office if this is being tracked with accidents and he said no. I see so many folks texting and talking on phones while driving and it concerns me a bit.

Mike

As rainyrainyday pointed out, there is already a recent topic thread on this subject, so since we don't need to have two about the same thing floating around, this one will be closed. Please use the link and contribute to that existing discussion on the topic: Texting while driving - do you welcome a law to ban it? Story..

Thank you.