To me, it should not be. Recently, in the state I live in (Michigan), a piece of legislation was passed that would make texting and driving a primary offense. A primary offense is when the police can pull a driver over just for that specific reason. If a cop sees you texting and driving, that is grounds for the cop to pull you over. This is much different from a secondary offense. A secondary offense would come with a primary offense. For instance, if you get pulled over for speeding and you just happened to be texting, only then could you be fined for it. Michigan is not the only state to do this. Ohio, Iowa, D.C. and 17 other states have done the same. Although, texting and driving may be a secondary offense in those states. To me, this is just another reason a cop can pull you over, without legitimate reason or evidence. Just like the seat belt law, a cop can claim that you did not have your seat belt on. The only defense against that would be that you would have to record yourself getting pulled over with you seat belt. If you don't do that.....you didn't have the seat belt on. The same thing with this texting law. I would be fine with this if it were a secondary offense, but the fact that it's a primary offense is just absurd. In MI, the first time you are caught, it's a $100 fine and a second time is a $200 fine. No points are put on the drivers license. I don't know, it just seems a bit trivial. It's not like there a thousands of texting related deaths. This would be much bigger than it is. It seems to be a......pre-cautionary law. What are your thoughts?
It would sort of defeat the purpose, because now, instead of drivers texting while driving, they will try to keep their cell phones hidden by driving, texting, AND crouching in a corner to avoid detection.
Given the rebellious nature of our society, by establishing such laws, we only perpetuate its consequences.
Texting is for people who lack the ability to talk. Calling people is much more effective, and anyone who can speak can talk on the telephone, no matter how large their fingers are.
What I really want to know is how people can actually text and drive at the same time. I've been driving for 12 years now, and one thing I learned at one point during that 12-year period is that you need to steer your car. Otherwise, your car will go off the road and crash into an establishment. I don't see how people can steer a steering wheel and text on a mobile phone at the same time. It just isn't logical!
Here in New Zealand, it already is banned. If you are caught get an $80 dollar fine and 20 "demerit" points. If you accumalate 100, your license will be suspended for three months.
What I really want to know is how people can actually text and drive at the same time.
Usually when I see people texting while driving, they keep one hand to the wheel and use the other to text. If they lapse in concentration, well that's how you crash.
I thing it's a good thing, not allowing people to drive and text at the same moment. Here (ITALY) you can't even talk to the phone while driving. You'll get huge fines.
Well, you can text and drive, endangering the lives of just about everybody in a 100ft radius of you. Or you could follow the law, be smart, and not kill anybody.
what kind of idiot puts a gps on a windshield?
My uncle, he also has a police warning thingy on his windshield.
I know a couple people who can text and drive without a problem. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people can't. I cannot count how many times I've almost been hit by a texter. Most people can't do 2 things at once. So they focus all their attention on texting. They go slow in the left lanes; they swerve a bit, they change lanes without looking, they barely pay attention to the car in front of them, etc. It sucks for those who can text and drive, but in the end, it's better that it's banned.
Texting is for people who lack the ability to talk. Calling people is much more effective, and anyone who can speak can talk on the telephone, no matter how large their fingers are.
you have no idea how long i have been waiting for someone to agree with me on this point. there is no one and i mean no one in my school who will agree with me
there is no one and i mean no one in my school who will agree with me
That's because your school is filled with children, and children are like lemmings. If some new trend happens to kick in, like text-messaging, they'll follow it no matter what.
u can talk on the phone and drive but texting..... thats just retarded
Even just talking is dangerous. You can get so immersed in the conversation that you take your eyes off the road and then swerve through six lanes of traffic. The law should be "No use of cellular devices, by the driver for the extent of the trip".
