Let's STOP Texting and driving. (Woodbury: 2015, home, bus)

[HighFlyingBird]

Im against texting and driving. But texting at a red light seems fine. And using an electronic device for directions is fine in my book

I think laws to be able to pull over obvious testers is good, but education is even better. I stopped because of education.

[Glenfield]

Originally Posted by Atalanta

Careful here, you might be treading on the people who want "Freedom" from Government and not a Dictatorship

Where have you actually seen anyone make an argument that they have a right to text while driving?

[Atalanta]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

Where have you actually seen anyone make an argument that they have a right to text while driving?

I haven't on this topic.
But on many where its all about freedom.
I agree with the topic.
Its dangerous to text and drive.
And should be enforced.

[Old Prospector]

First they make me wear a seat belt, now this? Typical nanny state.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by Old Prospector

First they make me wear a seat belt, now this? Typical nanny state.

and, what's with this whole right/wrong side of the road business anyway?!

[ltkenbo]

Originally Posted by Old Prospector

First they make me wear a seat belt, now this? Typical nanny state.

How are more laws on this subject going to make it stop if the laws they have made haven't? It will be just as hard to enforce the law as it is now (they actually have to catch you in the act) and calling 911 on someone isn't going to do anything but waste the police's time. Besides, according to the supreme court, the 4th amendment applies to your cell phone as well. Now don't get me wrong, I agree that texting and driving is an issue and presents a lot of danger. I don't believe however that making this is a law really helps. Actually I know someone from my work and his wife was genuinely using the phone for the navigation and she got a ticket for "texting."

http://www.kaaltv.com/article/stories/s3612420.shtml

http://www.kare11.com/story/news/inv...ving/18939307/

[ltkenbo]

Originally Posted by GeneR

Folks....focus...there are currently laws banning the use of the electronic device. I'm urging law makers to put some real teeth into the law that exists. It's killing people. 15% of fatals involved texting.

Please cite the source of this statistic. Is this MN alone or nationwide?

[uptown_urbanist]

Isn't using your phone for navigation just as dangerous as texting? You're still holding and looking at your phone instead of paying attention to the road.

Driving isn't a protected Constitutional right, and restrictions on texting or using cell phones isn't taking away the right to use a phone in other contexts. I don't care how people choose to use their phone when they're not behind the wheel of a driving car, but driving isn't a free-for-all without regulations.

[ltkenbo]

I'm talking about constitutional rights in terms of enforcement, the right for the police to search someone's phone. If we are going to pursue this route then you should note that just because you are performing a task not protected by the constitution does not mean your constitutional rights are negated. Ie driving a car isn't protected but the police searching your car without probable cause is. This law is difficult to enforce and if you are supporting a more strict version of it then by the same logic you should be championing laws against all distracted forms of driving (eating, drinking coffee, doing your makeup etc.). I agree that gps usage is distracting to, but I (and many others) use it to get around. I actually bought one of those window/dash mount holders for my phone so when I'm using it it don't need to look down.

I agree with others that education is the strongest case to make against texting while driving. If you teach people (especially the next driving generation who have grown up with smartphones) the dangers of texting as well as other distracted forms of driving I believe you will save many more lives. I wear my seatbelt not because the law tells me to but because I know the facts and that it's stupid not to.

[unihills]

Originally Posted by Ghengis

and, what's with this whole right/wrong side of the road business anyway?!

next thing you know you won't be able to drive on the sidewalk anymore!