Perry vetoes Texting-While-Driving bill (crimes, statistics, transport)

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by John26

Most states do many things differently that Texas, but we are not those states, and we are better off for it.

When we are talking about the U.S. doing something differently, these same folks say, "Well that's not the way they do it in Europe." When we are talking about Texas, they say, "Well that's not the way they do it in the other states."

[whitegiant]

Im not saying that texting and driving is ok, but even if the law did pass it wouldnt stop people from doing it. The only time they would stay off the phone is if there was a cop around them other than that they would text away.

[doctorjef]

Laws such as this do in fact discourage the behaviour they are aimed at. Reference seat belt laws, which have successfully increased the use of seat belts, and laws against open containers, which have decreased drinking while driving (different, of course, than driving while intoxicated). I've already discussed the educational function of such laws in my previous posts.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

At some point we need to stop hoping the government will rule every aspect of our lives.
People need to grow up, even adults, and be accountable for their actions.

Where are you going with this??? I can't be held accountable for someone threatening others on the road while driving. I've seen many cars swerving back and forth between lanes and almost running off the road to only find out they were texting. Texting while driving is much more serious and more of a threat to our society than speeding.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by blkgiraffe

Where are you going with this??? I can't be held accountable for someone threatening others on the road while driving. I've seen many cars swerving back and forth between lanes and almost running off the road to only find out they were texting. Texting while driving is much more serious and more of a threat to our society than speeding.

Not really. ALL distracted driving, as well as speeding, is reckless driving.

Distracted driving (which includes all forms of distraction, including but not limited to texting) constitutes a factor in, I understand, 16% of fatal accidents (which leaves 84% in which distracted driving is not a factor). A cell phone was involved (either talking or texting) in 18% of that 16% of fatal crashes, or approximately 2.88% of fatal crashes.

Speeding constitutes a factor in approximately 30% of fatal automobile accidents. It's a bit more or less depending on whether alcohol is also involved or not, but it runs right around 30-35%.

Texting while driving is, absolutely, stupid and dangerous. However, at the moment, speeding outweighs it as a threat by some 10 to 1, at best.

[Mark Senior]

Texas Horse lady, you have the majority of the posts on here. You have broadened the subject so much, you use the domino theory, this has nothing to do with the non-texting law Perry vetoed. I'm normally not a fan of Europe except of the beautiful scenery there, but on texting being banned while driving they simply have it right. As do 30 states and counting. I love Texas, but here we've got it wrong. I too, have had enough, we will have the law someday, I'm done with this thread.

[TexasHorseLady]

And I'm not arguing that texting while driving is not dangerous or should not be illegal. Fact is, it's reckless driving, and thus already illegal. Enforcing the current laws is more than sufficient to deal with the problem (something some seem to be studiously ignoring); a new law is not needed.

Education, yes, just like in driver's ed we are educated about many things that are unsafe to do while driving. Public service announcements, etc., just like for many things that are stupid. (X the text comes to mind.)

We just don't need another law until and unless the existing one that deals with that problem is being enforced.

Really, what's the point in passing yet another law if the existing one is not being enforced?

[kenshi]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

And I'm not arguing that texting while driving is not dangerous or should not be illegal. Fact is, it's reckless driving, and thus already illegal.

Have you looked up the exact law against reckless driving? I have and it says nothing about texting. Now I would agree with you that the act is pretty reckless, but the law as is stated is pretty subjective and unless such a case has gone to court, there's no point in repeatedly claiming it's illegal. If it has gone to court, I invite you to post up the case law. A law specifically against texting would make it a lot less ambiguous, as would altering the text of the reckless driving law. Either one will suit me fine, but the present situation does not.

[TexasHorseLady]

Texas Transportation Code, Sec. 545.401. RECKLESS DRIVING; OFFENSE.

(a) A person commits an offense if the person drives a vehicle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

Typo aside, that pretty much covers texting, cell phone usage, and anything else that one might do that is clearly dangerous while operating a motor vehicle.

There are several things, including talking to passengers and distractions from outside the vehicle, that currently are greater factors in fatal vehicle accidents than texting, as stupid and dangerous as it is - it's just that other things are statistically more stupid and dangerous at the present time. Unless you wish to pass individual laws to cover each and every one of them or modify the statute above to specify anything and everything that might be a distraction to a driver in a car, this covers driving in a manner that is a danger to others.

And isn't that supposed to be the entire point of such laws in the first place?

[catman]

At least people who speed might be paying attention to their driving. One shouldn't have to go to court to argue that texting while driving is a bad idea.