Is everyone driving and texting? (1 Viewer)

[SWC]

probably require new cars to have a chip that phones pick up when a car is running a phone will not work to text within five feet of it take that to the swc imagination bank bromigos

I can't believe I am going to say this, but actaully a good idea....

My phone has an app (ATT DriveMode) that knows how fast you're travelling and activates at 15mph. It has the auto-reply feature that someone mentioned above...probably the same app. You can still allow things like music and navigation and blue tooth calls. You can put parental controls on that notify you if your child disables the app on their phone too.

I don't use it, I just don't text and drive, but it seems pretty useful if you can't help yourself.

that is awesome and they should just make every phone have it no matter what take that to the bank

What about for passengers? Disable the app, I guess?

i guess but if it were up to me no texting from phones in cars by anyone period it is just so easy to cheat and turn it off if you are the driver excetra so just go nuclar and make no texting in cars period at the tech level just stop it cold yeah i know people will whine but if i am a passenger i should be able to send paul pierce rocketship pictures and blah blah blah well hey guess what no one likes paul pierce anyhow because he is a flop artist and whiner and kids should not want to be like him so bam take that to the bank brohans

 

[JohnnyU]

Should be thrown in jail just like drunk drivers.

I really don`t know anybody that drives while

intoxicated anymore...know many that text and drive though. Texting and driving should hold the same stigma as drunk driving.

No it shouldn't.

Why is that? If all studies are pointed toward proving that texting and driving is more dangerous than drunk driving. In the 60s, 70s and most of the 80s nobody really cared too much about drunk driving either. That is until it because socially unaccepted. Texting and driving will reach that point eventually. I used to drink and drive and I used to text and drive. Now I do neither. A couple of years ago I crossed the center line going 70 on a 2 lane highway while texting about a stupid baseball game. The thing that saved me is the oncoming driver swerved off the road to avoid a head on collision. It was very frightening at how close we came and I never hit the brakes. Have not texted while driving since.

Because drinking and driving is a continuously dangerous activity in that the entire drive the person poses a substantial threat. Texting while driving, in the moment poses an apparent threat, but to call it equally dangerous to drinking and driving is a misapplication of the studies. Additionally, the potential proof issues it poses as well as the invasion into a person's privacy are factors behind criminalizing the behavior comparable to drinking and driving.

This is lawyer .

Agreed.

I see text drivers not looking at the road and driving off the road. I have seen them hit cars. It is just as dangerous IMO. They are not watching the ****ing road for Christs sake. They are looking down for up to 15-20 seconds at a time driving 40-60 MPH.

I have seen it.

Oh well if you've seen it... I mean, certainly 15-20 seconds of not looking at the road is an accurate account.

You know what I see? Actual accident reports, media evidence (like axon videos, cell phone videos, security and stoplight cameras) and charging statistics (in my state reckless driving can be charged if a person texts while driving and causes an accident and negligent homicide could probably be charged if a person causes the accident and kills someone).

Care to take a guess as to which act causes more carnage and is more common to see?

Some of these people should watch OZ.

 

[Zow]

Should be thrown in jail just like drunk drivers.

I really don`t know anybody that drives while

intoxicated anymore...know many that text and drive though. Texting and driving should hold the same stigma as drunk driving.

No it shouldn't.

Why is that? If all studies are pointed toward proving that texting and driving is more dangerous than drunk driving. In the 60s, 70s and most of the 80s nobody really cared too much about drunk driving either. That is until it because socially unaccepted. Texting and driving will reach that point eventually. I used to drink and drive and I used to text and drive. Now I do neither. A couple of years ago I crossed the center line going 70 on a 2 lane highway while texting about a stupid baseball game. The thing that saved me is the oncoming driver swerved off the road to avoid a head on collision. It was very frightening at how close we came and I never hit the brakes. Have not texted while driving since.

Because drinking and driving is a continuously dangerous activity in that the entire drive the person poses a substantial threat. Texting while driving, in the moment poses an apparent threat, but to call it equally dangerous to drinking and driving is a misapplication of the studies. Additionally, the potential proof issues it poses as well as the invasion into a person's privacy are factors behind criminalizing the behavior comparable to drinking and driving.

This is lawyer .

So if two people have a twently minute drive and one sends a text and the other is drunk, you think they are equally dangerous? Or were you referring to the privacy nonsense?

This goes back to the proof issues I mentioned. If an officer suspects a person of texting while driving, the most obvious way to determine whether that is accurate is to examine the phone and view the texts. Certainly some 4th Amendment privacy protections would apply there.

 

[dgreen]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I see what Todem described everyday. Maybe put your phone down and look around you?

You see cars run into other cars every day?

 

[Zow]

Maybe I should clarify myself:

1. Texting while driving can be safe, but is certainly not always safe. In traffic, on city streets with numerous intersections, etc. it's probably not safe. It's also probably risky enough that it's a bad habit and ideally drivers don't text and drive.

2. If a person commits an action as a direct result of texting while he should be certainly held civilly liable and could be considered for prosecution under reckless driving or comparable criminal statutes.

3. Criminalizing it like DUI is an overreaction and over legislation .

4. I'm really good at it. Especially on flat, not busy desert highways that I drive often.

 

[NCCommish]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I see what Todem described everyday. Maybe put your phone down and look around you?

You see cars run into other cars every day?

Since I spend a significant amount of time in my car everyday(about 8 hours a day) I see a lot of near wrecks and actual wrecks. And I usually have to avoid at least one or two idiots a week to keep from being in one. I see people everyday that are looking down at their phones just before they have to slam on their brakes. I have seen some of them not slam on early enough.

 

[tonydead]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I see what Todem described everyday. Maybe put your phone down and look around you?

You see cars run into other cars every day?

Yes. Almost every single day. I don't get the luxury of getting out and talking to these people, but, from my observation around me it's just as likely from texting as anything else. Why do I make that assumption? Because I see people text and swerve into other lanes, near accidents and break suddenly, every single day. I occasionally see excessive speeding and the guy who is obviously drunk, but, much much less frequently.

 

[Politician Spock]

I thought lawyers had their own thread here so that they wouldn't ruin others.

 

[Zow]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I see what Todem described everyday. Maybe put your phone down and look around you?

You see cars run into other cars every day?

Yes. Almost every single day. I don't get the luxury of getting out and talking to these people, but, from my observation around me it's just as likely from texting as anything else. Why do I make that assumption? Because I see people text and swerve into other lanes, near accidents and break suddenly, every single day. I occasionally see excessive speeding and the guy who is obviously drunk, but, much much less frequently.

You see an actual car accident every single day? Are you an EMT?

 

[Zow]

I thought lawyers had their own thread here so that they wouldn't ruin others.

Sorry, I'll take my logic and objectivity back to that thread. Carry on with the wild statements and myopic demands based predominantly on emotional response.

 

[tonydead]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I see what Todem described everyday. Maybe put your phone down and look around you?

You see cars run into other cars every day?

Yes. Almost every single day. I don't get the luxury of getting out and talking to these people, but, from my observation around me it's just as likely from texting as anything else. Why do I make that assumption? Because I see people text and swerve into other lanes, near accidents and break suddenly, every single day. I occasionally see excessive speeding and the guy who is obviously drunk, but, much much less frequently.

You see an actual car accident every single day? Are you an EMT?

How many times do I have to answer the same question?

 

[NCCommish]

I thought lawyers had their own thread here so that they wouldn't ruin others.

Sorry, I'll take my logic and objectivity back to that thread. Carry on with the wild statements and myopic demands based predominantly on emotional response.

And you carry on thinking you are good at texting and driving. I know plenty of people that think that. Right up until they have been proven wrong. Hopefully it will not be an expensive or serious lesson in your case.

 

[dgreen]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I see what Todem described everyday. Maybe put your phone down and look around you?

You see cars run into other cars every day?

Yes. Almost every single day. I don't get the luxury of getting out and talking to these people, but, from my observation around me it's just as likely from texting as anything else. Why do I make that assumption? Because I see people text and swerve into other lanes, near accidents and break suddenly, every single day. I occasionally see excessive speeding and the guy who is obviously drunk, but, much much less frequently.

First, sorry, but I don't believe you witness an accident almost every day. How many hours are you in the car each day?

Second, you really shouldn't make that assumption. As has been posted, official government statistics estimate that about 1% of all accidents (fatal, injury, property) were caused by a driver distracted by their cell phone.

 

[Apple Jack]

I used to be a really good at driving on psychedelics. Where is this thread were we logical people can be together?

 

[JohnnyU]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I see what Todem described everyday. Maybe put your phone down and look around you?

You see cars run into other cars every day?

Yes. Almost every single day. I don't get the luxury of getting out and talking to these people, but, from my observation around me it's just as likely from texting as anything else. Why do I make that assumption? Because I see people text and swerve into other lanes, near accidents and break suddenly, every single day. I occasionally see excessive speeding and the guy who is obviously drunk, but, much much less frequently.

One day I just about got hit from two sides at the same time. I'm not sure what caused the girl behind me to slam on her breaks, but the guy beside me had his phone held high and was texting with one hand and drifted into my lane. She was probably texting and wasn't paying attention to her speed. This was city street driving without heavy traffic.

 

[tonydead]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I see what Todem described everyday. Maybe put your phone down and look around you?

You see cars run into other cars every day?

Yes. Almost every single day. I don't get the luxury of getting out and talking to these people, but, from my observation around me it's just as likely from texting as anything else. Why do I make that assumption? Because I see people text and swerve into other lanes, near accidents and break suddenly, every single day. I occasionally see excessive speeding and the guy who is obviously drunk, but, much much less frequently.

First, sorry, but I don't believe you witness an accident almost every day. How many hours are you in the car each day?

Second, you really shouldn't make that assumption. As has been posted, official government statistics estimate that about 1% of all accidents (fatal, injury, property) were caused by a driver distracted by their cell phone.

I drive an hour commute each way and then another couple hours between job sites every other day.

I'd rather believe my eyes instead of the statistics which your side has argued are hard to prove, and even less admitted to.

 

[Insein]

I mostly need to get another post in on FBg.... whoa guy almost hit me. What a ####.

 

[Apple Jack]

at the i see accidents nearly every day bit.

 

[NCCommish]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

 

[Tiger Fan]

I'm pretty guilty of this. Starting today I'm going to make an effort to stop cold turkey.

My wife called me out on reading a text once......ONCE. If I feel I have to read something on my phone I will pull over, but 99 times out of a 100 I will wait until I get to where I am going.. I don't have a problem with that at all. Of course I'm not addicted to my phone like some. No way in hell am I going to put my life or anyone else's life on the line for something as stupid as a cell phone. It amazes me how people feel they must look / respond right away to phone messages, or worse, check to see if they have a message when they just looked 5 minutes ago. One would think that damn phone is permanently attached to their hand.

I agree. What are you people talking about that it can't wait?

Maybe it's my age (49), but I don't feel this pull to constantly be in touch. It blows my mind that so many adults have turned into insecure teenagers in this respect.

I'm pretty guilty of this. Starting today I'm going to make an effort to stop cold turkey.

My wife called me out on reading a text once......ONCE. If I feel I have to read something on my phone I will pull over, but 99 times out of a 100 I will wait until I get to where I am going.. I don't have a problem with that at all. Of course I'm not addicted to my phone like some. No way in hell am I going to put my life or anyone else's life on the line for something as stupid as a cell phone. It amazes me how people feel they must look / respond right away to phone messages, or worse, check to see if they have a message when they just looked 5 minutes ago. One would think that damn phone is permanently attached to their hand.

I agree. What are you people talking about that it can't wait?

Maybe it's my age (49), but I don't feel this pull to constantly be in touch. It blows my mind that so many adults have turned into insecure teenagers in this respect.

s. And it goes beyond driving. Meetings, meals, every waking moment. I'm in front of a computer most of the day and I put my phone away as soon as I get home. I don't even answer the phone, let alone texts or emails. There isn't anything I can't wait until tomorrow for.

GET OFF MY LAWN!

 

[Politician Spock]

You'd think all those people addicted to texting would just take Uber.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Also, the data works both ways.

I'm sure it's very hard to prove a wreck that was actually caused by texting.

"No officer, I wasn't texting"

 

[NCCommish]

I'm pretty guilty of this. Starting today I'm going to make an effort to stop cold turkey.

My wife called me out on reading a text once......ONCE. If I feel I have to read something on my phone I will pull over, but 99 times out of a 100 I will wait until I get to where I am going.. I don't have a problem with that at all. Of course I'm not addicted to my phone like some. No way in hell am I going to put my life or anyone else's life on the line for something as stupid as a cell phone. It amazes me how people feel they must look / respond right away to phone messages, or worse, check to see if they have a message when they just looked 5 minutes ago. One would think that damn phone is permanently attached to their hand.

I agree. What are you people talking about that it can't wait?

Maybe it's my age (49), but I don't feel this pull to constantly be in touch. It blows my mind that so many adults have turned into insecure teenagers in this respect.

I'm pretty guilty of this. Starting today I'm going to make an effort to stop cold turkey.

My wife called me out on reading a text once......ONCE. If I feel I have to read something on my phone I will pull over, but 99 times out of a 100 I will wait until I get to where I am going.. I don't have a problem with that at all. Of course I'm not addicted to my phone like some. No way in hell am I going to put my life or anyone else's life on the line for something as stupid as a cell phone. It amazes me how people feel they must look / respond right away to phone messages, or worse, check to see if they have a message when they just looked 5 minutes ago. One would think that damn phone is permanently attached to their hand.

I agree. What are you people talking about that it can't wait?

Maybe it's my age (49), but I don't feel this pull to constantly be in touch. It blows my mind that so many adults have turned into insecure teenagers in this respect.

s. And it goes beyond driving. Meetings, meals, every waking moment. I'm in front of a computer most of the day and I put my phone away as soon as I get home. I don't even answer the phone, let alone texts or emails. There isn't anything I can't wait until tomorrow for.

GET OFF MY LAWN!

I'm with him. I put my phone down when I get home and rarely look at it. I don't use it at all when driving. If it rings that's why I have voicemail. If someone texts the text will still be there when I stop. I even stopped doing a side gig because they constantly wanted me to communicate while driving by texting and they would get mad if it took me some time to respond as I wouldn't while driving. I don't get the whole I have to have my phone in my hand every minute stuff.

 

[tonydead]

I think it's just down right rude. I remember when cell phones just came out and it was considered rude to answer the phone if you were talking or gathered around other people. Now it's not even a second thought, people just keep texting while people are talking to them. I feel bad for families I see at restaurants and they are all on their phones not talking to one another.

There is something to be said for paying attention to your surroundings and the people around you.

 

[Harry Manback]

I think texters should should spend at least a few hours watching Russian dash cam videos on YouTube.

Amen to that.

I love watching those videos on my drive home from work.

 

[NCCommish]

I think texters should should spend at least a few hours watching Russian dash cam videos on YouTube.

Amen to that.

I love watching those videos on my drive home from work.

Been thinking about getting a dash cam. I see some crazy stuff happen right in front of me on a regular basis. I am thinking there is a hit Youtube channel there.

 

[Jayrod]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

 

[NCCommish]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

Saw two happen last week. The area I do most of my driving in is very heavy traffic. It is also full of places where the only way out is to cut across traffic. Many people misjudge the speed and or space needed for that. Saw an old guy get his car spun completely around by a hit and run. So a lady try to pull out and get smashed because she shouldn't have. Nearly everyday there is at least one accident on this stretch of road. And that is not with bad weather involved. The last time it rained heavily during the morning commute here over 200 accidents were reported in one hour.

 

[Eminence]

I post on this site while driving. Hell, I'm in the drive thru of Taco Bell right now.

 

[Politician Spock]

I post on this site while driving. Hell, I'm in the drive thru of Taco Bell right now.

Yes, the dumpster is on the other side of the drive through, so you would have to cross it when taking the trash out.

 

[Gr00vus]

I post on this site while driving. Hell, I'm in the drive thru of Taco Bell right now.

Nice to see you're attempting to cram as many poor decisions as you can into the least amount of time possible. At least you're efficient.

 

[tonydead]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

What's the difference unless it's to win some sort of semantics point. Most all the wrecks are rear endears in heavy stop and go freeway traffic. Given the fact that 50% of all the people driving can be seen with a phone in their hand what's the likely cause of all these accidents?

 

[Zow]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

Saw two happen last week. The area I do most of my driving in is very heavy traffic. It is also full of places where the only way out is to cut across traffic. Many people misjudge the speed and or space needed for that. Saw an old guy get his car spun completely around by a hit and run. So a lady try to pull out and get smashed because she shouldn't have. Nearly everyday there is at least one accident on this stretch of road. And that is not with bad weather involved. The last time it rained heavily during the morning commute here over 200 accidents were reported in one hour.

Okay, so in your area it sounds like a pretty terrible idea to text and drive. I think most who do it probably wouldn't do it while driving in heavy city traffic.

Again, it's a totality of the circumstances type thing. There's a huge reasonable middle ground between openly texting in NYC rush hour and the suggestion that it should never be done and criminalized like a DUI.

 

[Chemical X]

NC Commish gets it, try driving in NC. I see an accident at least 1x a week. God forbid it rains, it's like all the windows are draped in confederate flags and people are blinded.

 

[Todem]

I can't tell you how many times I see young people (under 25 years year old to be specific) texting away, looking straight down, swerving off the road, into other cars.

Oh, come on. Seriously, how many accidents do you people witness? I think I've witnessed one accident in the past, say, 10 years and it was relatively minor. Are you really seeing so many accidents (and specifically texting accidents) that you can't tell me how many it's been?

I live in South Florida.....I see accidents often.

I have seen 3 rear end fender benders in the last 6 months on my morning drive from people texting and rolling into people because they are so into what they are typing they let off on the brake and just roll into people.

I have seen 2 cars in the last 9 months swerve off the road into a median (in my local neighborhood in fact where it is full of teenage drivers) because they had been using their phones to text.

I see people drifting into lanes all the time.....because they are on their ****ing while they are driving. Like literally holding them up on the steering wheel and typing while they drive.

IT"S INSANE.

 

[Todem]

To those defending this or who think they are good at it. I spend a lot of time on the road these days. I see drivers texting every day. They are easy to spot. They are driving like they may be impaired. Going really slow, swerving, braking for no reason, having to hard brake to avoid collisions. This idea that it's not that big a deal is ridiculous. And if you think your good at it? i would file that under famous last words.

Spot on man. So easy to spot.

 

[Todem]

So far I've learned from this thread that drinking and driving isn't near as dangerous as I thought

Oh it is....but now we have to deal with people who are driving drunk without a sip of alcohol. Instead they are typing on their phones and not looking at the ### #### road.

 

[JohnnyU]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

Saw two happen last week. The area I do most of my driving in is very heavy traffic. It is also full of places where the only way out is to cut across traffic. Many people misjudge the speed and or space needed for that. Saw an old guy get his car spun completely around by a hit and run. So a lady try to pull out and get smashed because she shouldn't have. Nearly everyday there is at least one accident on this stretch of road. And that is not with bad weather involved. The last time it rained heavily during the morning commute here over 200 accidents were reported in one hour.

Okay, so in your area it sounds like a pretty terrible idea to text and drive. I think most who do it probably wouldn't do it while driving in heavy city traffic.

Again, it's a totality of the circumstances type thing. There's a huge reasonable middle ground between openly texting in NYC rush hour and the suggestion that it should never be done and criminalized like a DUI.

Of course it never should be done. To say otherwise is not very smart.

 

[JohnnyU]

To those defending this or who think they are good at it. I spend a lot of time on the road these days. I see drivers texting every day. They are easy to spot. They are driving like they may be impaired. Going really slow, swerving, braking for no reason, having to hard brake to avoid collisions. This idea that it's not that big a deal is ridiculous. And if you think your good at it? i would file that under famous last words.

Spot on man. So easy to spot.

The most obvious is the head looking down at their lap.

 

[tonydead]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

Saw two happen last week. The area I do most of my driving in is very heavy traffic. It is also full of places where the only way out is to cut across traffic. Many people misjudge the speed and or space needed for that. Saw an old guy get his car spun completely around by a hit and run. So a lady try to pull out and get smashed because she shouldn't have. Nearly everyday there is at least one accident on this stretch of road. And that is not with bad weather involved. The last time it rained heavily during the morning commute here over 200 accidents were reported in one hour.

Okay, so in your area it sounds like a pretty terrible idea to text and drive. I think most who do it probably wouldn't do it while driving in heavy city traffic.

Again, it's a totality of the circumstances type thing. There's a huge reasonable middle ground between openly texting in NYC rush hour and the suggestion that it should never be done and criminalized like a DUI.

Bold - wrong, fail. If you are going to apply circumstances to texting why wouldn't apply them to DUI?

 

[Todem]

Should be thrown in jail just like drunk drivers.

I really don`t know anybody that drives while

intoxicated anymore...know many that text and drive though. Texting and driving should hold the same stigma as drunk driving.

No it shouldn't.

Why is that? If all studies are pointed toward proving that texting and driving is more dangerous than drunk driving. In the 60s, 70s and most of the 80s nobody really cared too much about drunk driving either. That is until it because socially unaccepted. Texting and driving will reach that point eventually. I used to drink and drive and I used to text and drive. Now I do neither. A couple of years ago I crossed the center line going 70 on a 2 lane highway while texting about a stupid baseball game. The thing that saved me is the oncoming driver swerved off the road to avoid a head on collision. It was very frightening at how close we came and I never hit the brakes. Have not texted while driving since.

Because drinking and driving is a continuously dangerous activity in that the entire drive the person poses a substantial threat. Texting while driving, in the moment poses an apparent threat, but to call it equally dangerous to drinking and driving is a misapplication of the studies. Additionally, the potential proof issues it poses as well as the invasion into a person's privacy are factors behind criminalizing the behavior comparable to drinking and driving.

This is lawyer .

Agreed.

I see text drivers not looking at the road and driving off the road. I have seen them hit cars. It is just as dangerous IMO. They are not watching the ****ing road for Christs sake. They are looking down for up to 15-20 seconds at a time driving 40-60 MPH.

I have seen it.

Oh well if you've seen it... I mean, certainly 15-20 seconds of not looking at the road is an accurate account.

You know what I see? Actual accident reports, media evidence (like axon videos, cell phone videos, security and stoplight cameras) and charging statistics (in my state reckless driving can be charged if a person texts while driving and causes an accident and negligent homicide could probably be charged if a person causes the accident and kills someone).

Care to take a guess as to which act causes more carnage and is more common to see?

No doubt drinking and driving is far more deadly statistically.

But give this some more time to evolve. In 10 years I venture to say it will be extremely out of hand compared to today. It is a fast growing menace to the roads.

Texting and driving is fast becoming a deadly practice.

 

[Politician Spock]

People aren't choosing in what driving conditions to do it. It's those texting them that is choosing when they do it for them. People text and drive because they don't believe the response can wait.

 

[dgreen]

To those defending this or who think they are good at it. I spend a lot of time on the road these days. I see drivers texting every day. They are easy to spot. They are driving like they may be impaired. Going really slow, swerving, braking for no reason, having to hard brake to avoid collisions. This idea that it's not that big a deal is ridiculous. And if you think your good at it? i would file that under famous last words.

Spot on man. So easy to spot.

The most obvious is the head looking down at their lap.

That's not my phone I'm looking at and touching.

 

[Zow]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

Saw two happen last week. The area I do most of my driving in is very heavy traffic. It is also full of places where the only way out is to cut across traffic. Many people misjudge the speed and or space needed for that. Saw an old guy get his car spun completely around by a hit and run. So a lady try to pull out and get smashed because she shouldn't have. Nearly everyday there is at least one accident on this stretch of road. And that is not with bad weather involved. The last time it rained heavily during the morning commute here over 200 accidents were reported in one hour.

Okay, so in your area it sounds like a pretty terrible idea to text and drive. I think most who do it probably wouldn't do it while driving in heavy city traffic.

Again, it's a totality of the circumstances type thing. There's a huge reasonable middle ground between openly texting in NYC rush hour and the suggestion that it should never be done and criminalized like a DUI.

Of course it never should be done. To say otherwise is not very smart.

 

[dgreen]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

What's the difference unless it's to win some sort of semantics point. Most all the wrecks are rear endears in heavy stop and go freeway traffic. Given the fact that 50% of all the people driving can be seen with a phone in their hand what's the likely cause of all these accidents?

Actually witnessing an accident gives you more authority to accurately state the cause of the accident. Just seeing some cars that were in an accident 30 minutes before you drive by provides you with almost zero evidence of the cause. There's a reason police talk to people who witness the crash and not those driving by much later.

 

[dgreen]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

Saw two happen last week. The area I do most of my driving in is very heavy traffic. It is also full of places where the only way out is to cut across traffic. Many people misjudge the speed and or space needed for that. Saw an old guy get his car spun completely around by a hit and run. So a lady try to pull out and get smashed because she shouldn't have. Nearly everyday there is at least one accident on this stretch of road. And that is not with bad weather involved. The last time it rained heavily during the morning commute here over 200 accidents were reported in one hour.

Okay, so in your area it sounds like a pretty terrible idea to text and drive. I think most who do it probably wouldn't do it while driving in heavy city traffic.

Again, it's a totality of the circumstances type thing. There's a huge reasonable middle ground between openly texting in NYC rush hour and the suggestion that it should never be done and criminalized like a DUI.

Of course it never should be done. To say otherwise is not very smart.

NEVER!

 

[Zow]

People aren't choosing in what driving conditions to do it. It's those texting them that is choosing when they do it for them. People text and drive because they don't believe the response can wait.

It's not that simple. It's a weighing of the circumstances to see first whether the driving condition is safe enough to take the tenth of a second to see who texted you, second to determine whether to take the less than a second to read the text, then third to determine whether it is safe enough to perform the divided attention action of responding combined with the benefit of immediately responding (i.e. is your boss asking for an ETA? Did someone die? Is some hot chick sexting you?) weighed against the potential detriment of waiting to respond until you've reached your destination.

At least this is my anecdotal proffering of why it's done. I mean it's no witnessing accidents on the daily.

 

[Zow]

So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.

By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.

You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.

Saw two happen last week. The area I do most of my driving in is very heavy traffic. It is also full of places where the only way out is to cut across traffic. Many people misjudge the speed and or space needed for that. Saw an old guy get his car spun completely around by a hit and run. So a lady try to pull out and get smashed because she shouldn't have. Nearly everyday there is at least one accident on this stretch of road. And that is not with bad weather involved. The last time it rained heavily during the morning commute here over 200 accidents were reported in one hour.

Okay, so in your area it sounds like a pretty terrible idea to text and drive. I think most who do it probably wouldn't do it while driving in heavy city traffic.

Again, it's a totality of the circumstances type thing. There's a huge reasonable middle ground between openly texting in NYC rush hour and the suggestion that it should never be done and criminalized like a DUI.

Bold - wrong, fail. If you are going to apply circumstances to texting why wouldn't apply them to DUI?

wat

 

[Politician Spock]

People aren't choosing in what driving conditions to do it. It's those texting them that is choosing when they do it for them. People text and drive because they don't believe the response can wait.

It's not that simple. It's a weighing of the circumstances to see first whether the driving condition is safe enough to take the tenth of a second to see who texted you, second to determine whether to take the less than a second to read the text, then third to determine whether it is safe enough to perform the divided attention action of responding combined with the benefit of immediately responding (i.e. is your boss asking for an ETA? Did someone die? Is some hot chick sexting you?) weighed against the potential detriment of waiting to respond until you've reached your destination.

At least this is my anecdotal proffering of why it's done. I mean it's no witnessing accidents on the daily.

The average American driver can't weigh a Quarter Pounder with Cheese against a half a pound of thinly sliced cured Italian ham without using their fingers.

 

[Mister CIA]

I used to be a really good at driving on psychedelics. Where is this thread were we logical people can be together?

Yep. I've no doubt I can drive better with a 0.15 BAC than a sub-25 year old texting while driving.