Everyone already knows the apparent risks of driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone. Lawmakers also know about the percentage of deaths and accidents that are caused each year by drivers who were not paying attention because they were talking on their phones. That is why a number of states in the U.S. have made it illegal to drive while using a hand-held cell phone.
Now, according to the Wall Street Journal lawmakers are proposing legislation that would make it illegal to send text messages from your phone while driving.
Washington state has proposed a bill that will make it illegal to read, write or send text messages while driving. Oregon is also working on a law that would fine drivers as much as $720 for texting or holding a cell phone to the ear.
According to the article, 19% of all drivers text behind the wheel and 37% of those drivers that are between 18 to 27 text.
This is definitely needed, since there are many accidents and traffic jams that are caused by drivers that are talking on their cell phones. Another recent story claimed that even using hands free devices still causes distraction.
Full Story: The Car Connection
The News Market has also published a story today regarding this same issue. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and GM have created a vehicle that is capable of driving without any driver input. This would allow drivers to safely use their mobile devices. The car called "Boss" is a Chevrolet Tahoe with 25 lasers, cameras and radars that allow it to sense objects and to know which direction to go.
Full Story: The News Market
Comments (7)
well of course texting whilst driving should be against the law!! - just like using a cell phone without a hands free kit should be illegal!! - duh, common sense. its no different to drinking and driving - they both reduce your ability to drive!!
Posted by Anthony | April 17, 2007 10:40 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 22:40
I think it is bullcrap that only 7 out of the 40 of 100 people that drive and text are teenagers! That means that the other THIRTY FIVE PEOPLE are adults! Who needs to be complaining, when it is we (teenagers) that are at risk! Adults are constantly saying teens and when it all boils down, for every 1 teenager there are 3 people that are +28 years of age. So I say to parents and adults STFU!! LOL
I agree that it is very dangerous, and I am guilty, but I didnt realize until reading this that the older generation is to blame for such a medial thing. Why does a 30 year old mother with two kids need to text while she is driving? She might as well change CD's while holding a drink and steer with her knees, cuz that is just as bad. Obviousely older people cant handle both at the same time. This does need to come to a stop, but for all the wrong resaons.
I say write the tickets and the older you are the higher the ticket!!
Besides, they can afford it anyways.
Felando
Posted by Felando | August 18, 2007 7:29 AM
Posted on August 18, 2007 07:29
I'm currently doing a large research project on this subject that has to be 7-10 pages in length. From the notes I've taken, I've noticed most articles focus on the teenagers most because they tend to get into more accidents while texting. Even though, adults do get into accidents, such as a bus driver who got into a collision while driving and texting at the same time. A kid's hand got severed and the bus driver most likely got fired. Yet when it all boils down to it, texting should definitely be outlawed. I mean, you don't read the newspaper while you drive, do you?
Posted by A 14 yr. old doing very large research project | April 17, 2008 5:03 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 17:03
I think that cell phones should be banned while people are in the car, because texting and driving is worse than drinking and driving. They both impair your thinking and you are not at your hightest ability to think rationally.
Posted by Chimere Quarles | April 30, 2008 7:22 AM
Posted on April 30, 2008 07:22
I think all of this is crap but no one wants to die so put down the phones for a few min.s and drive please who is that important to have a phone glued to there ears 24-7
Posted by brooke | September 3, 2009 5:33 AM
Posted on September 3, 2009 05:33
I think all of this is crap but no one wants to die so put down the phones for a few min.s and drive please who is that important to have a phone glued to there ears 24-7
Posted by brooke | September 3, 2009 5:33 AM
Posted on September 3, 2009 05:33
I think all of this is crap but no one wants to die so put down the phones for a few min.s and drive please who is that important to have a phone glued to there ears 24-7
Posted by brooke | September 3, 2009 5:33 AM
Posted on September 3, 2009 05:33