Gothamist: Council Weighs Ban on Text Messaging While Driving

JenChungsBra

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:20:58 -0500

Five upstate girls dead last year because the driver was texting: http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/Drivers/Learning/Story/A1Story20070724-19575.html Texting is even worse that talking because it requires the driver to take his eyes off the road. How about $500 fines? Would that work?

Gwinny

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:07:07 -0500

People who talk/text on their phones while driving are incredibly dangerous -- and yet I see people doing this (without headsets) all the time. It's infuriating how stupid people can be. Is hitting a pedestrian, cyclist or other car the only thing that will make them stop doing this?

Mr Mel

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:58:48 -0500

There is no limit to the dumb things people do. I once saw someone pulling out of a garage and reading a Filofax at the same time. I yelled something but either wasn't heard or ignored.

S.D.

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:17:43 -0500

Sadly, you can't legislate Stupid. If someone needs a Law to tell them NOT to text and drive at the same time, then they also need a law telling them to keep their eyes open while driving.

PBRK

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:51:07 -0500

The fines should include losing your license. Its not like you can accidentally talk or text on a cell phone while driving.

Toby von Meistersinger

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:16:16 -0500

Wouldn't this fall under the reckless driving law? We really need to take stock of the laws we have before adding more.

eyekantspel

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:05:27 -0500

agree with arsguide. Sad reflection on things when we need warning labels on grapes and laws to tell us that we shouldn't type while driving. The fines for this wreckless behavior should be MUCH higher. The fine for cell phone use is only $100; it should be higher than that if the vehicle is in motion. Texting while driving is so much worse - it should be treated like a DWI.

konakazi

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:01:01 -0500

Laws are useless if they're not enforced. This is just to discourage lawsuits probably.

moocow

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:52:25 -0500

why do people think they can drive without looking at the road? although i've seen drivers on cellphones, looking, but seeing nothing apparently (and rolling through red lights into intersections).

arsguide

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:27:52 -0500

gawd - what a horrible city/state/country this is becoming where there are laws in place of common sense

Rocknrope

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:49:16 -0500

Next bill up, a ban on folding origami while driving.

zodak

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:35:55 -0500

there are so many damn car accidents every day & so many damn people think they can multi-task & do everything else other than pay attention while they drive. Splicer is totally right.

JRod5417

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:31:48 -0500

While we're at it, let's also ban makeup application and soup slurping while driving.

Splicer

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:26:30 -0500

A law like this would not be needed if not for the selfishness of certain people and the sense of entitlement that they wear like an overcoat.

wickershee

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:16:04 -0500

While we're at it, can we please ban texting while walking down Midtown sidewalks? Now that would be useful.

Mr Mel

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:14:34 -0500

Right, and this will be enforced as efficiently as the law that prohibits people from driving an talking on their hand held cell phones. The penalty for that should be loss of the driver's license. If an accident occurs, possible jail time.