Texting While Driving

[billchao]

Don't do it! Don't check your social media accounts, emails, text messages, surf the net, etc., while you are behind the wheel of a vehicle. Driving is dangerous enough without being distracted, and you can hurt other people in an accident. I just felt like it needed to be stated. I drive a lot in my job and it's amazing the number of people I see in their cars driving with their heads down or a phone on top of their steering wheel or something. If it's that important, pull over somewhere please.

[DaveP043]

Don't do it!

Ditto!!

I want to have a blinking sign made up, one that I can trigger as needed, that says "Hang up and DRIVE"

[Abu3baid]

Agree 100% I don't do it and can't stand it when I see others doing it... Just don't do it!!!!

[nevets88]

Can spot these from a mile away, taking up two lanes, going slow in the middle lane, leaking into your lane. A little OT: During a traffic jam, averaging around 25mph, I saw a guy talking on his phone, when traffic came to a complete halt, he'd stop for awhile and everyone would go around him. He kept repeatedly doing this everytime traffic came to a stop or crawl.

[RFKFREAK]

Not sure how it is in other states but in NY, it's pretty strict.

You can't use your phone and drive while the car is in motion, nor can you use your phone when the vehicle is at a light, stop sign, or stuck in traffic.

For the first violation, $50-$200 fine, a second violation within 18 months, it's a fine of $50-$250, and for a third violation or more within an 18 month period, it's a fine of $50-$450.

Each violation is worth 5 points and you're license is likely to be suspended if you get 11 points in an 18 month period.

[tmac20]

Where I live it's a $5000 fine and your insurance goes way up.

[mvmac]

@iacas and I saw a guy the other day swerving all over the place. When I went to pass him I saw his eyes glued to his phone.

[Patch]

It's illegal in most states, causes wrecks, which in return sometimes kills people. Even so, idiots will continue to text while driving.

[nevets88]

[RFKFREAK]

Where I live it's a $5000 fine and your insurance goes way up.

Where do you live?

[tmac20]

Where do you live?

Toronto.

[nevets88]

MD?

http://patch.com/maryland/annapolis/new-texting-while-driving-bill-signed-into-law

This is probably inaccurate now:

http://techland.time.com/2013/10/29/texting-while-driving-can-cost-you-10000-one-year-in-jail/

[Lihu]

I'm far more amazed that we need to go to these great lengths to convince people to stop doing it!

[stealthhwk]

Ditto!! I want to have a blinking sign made up, one that I can trigger as needed, that says "Hang up and DRIVE"

U should and sell them for 29.95!!! You would make millions.

[stealthhwk]

People are selfish and dont care how their actions might affect someone else. But that status update or text reply could kill someones infant child, or a mother, father, friend. We should completely alienate the people who do this sort of thing. Make it uncool enough and people might stop. The stigma needs to change from status update to what kind of loser txts and drives?

[billchao]

Not sure how it is in other states but in NY, it's pretty strict.  You can't use your phone and drive while the car is in motion, nor can you use your phone when the vehicle is at a light, stop sign, or stuck in traffic.  For the first violation, $50-$200 fine, a second violation within 18 months, it's a fine of $50-$250, and for a third violation or more within an 18 month period, it's a fine of $50-$450. Each violation is worth 5 points and you're license is likely to be suspended if you get 11 points in an 18 month period.

It's illegal in NJ too, but there aren't enough police officers around to enforce the law. People are generally smart enough to put the things down when they drive by a cop, too. I've seen police officers driving while talking on cell phones.

[nevets88]

Curious - where do you guys stand on something like tapping your mounted smartphone to change to a faster route?

Ontario police using unmarked SUVs to catch people in the act of:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/texting-and-driving-the-focus-of-opp-long-weekend-blitz-1.2750216

[acetoolguy]

A coworker said he was driving by the scene of an accident, the cops were pulling over everybody who took a cell phone photo while they were driving. I thought "cool".