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Federal Lawmakers Step In to Regulate Texting and Driving

Article Comments  83  

Jul 29, 2009, 10:08 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Several Democratic senators are proposing new legislation that would require states to ban drivers from sending text messages and emails while operating moving vehicles. If states don't comply with the federal mandate, they face losing up to 25% of their federal highway funds. If the legislation is passed, the transportation secretary would have six months to create guidelines for the states, which would then have up to another two years to implement the texting/emailing bans. The law would not prevent drivers from sending messages in vehicles that are parked. The proposed legislation follows several nationally publicized stories regarding drivers who were sending text messages in the moments before accidents that resulted in property damage, deaths and injuries.

Associated Press »

Comments

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This forum is closed.

DarkStar

Jul 29, 2009, 6:47 PM

Why doesn't anybody see the problem with this issue?

Forget about the texting issue. The Federal government is trying to force the states into doing whatever it is the want. The whole point of having states is so that we can make our own laws without the Federal government becoming too powerful.
Right but consider a different example. Medical marijuana is legal in CA but is banned by federal laws so CA and feds are in a constant fight about it. So a state does not have to adopt a law or a regulation that feds mandate but they will have to con...
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Is "don't murder" a state law? States don't have the power to change anything about that law but are allowed to determine the penalty based on their findings. What would be any different about this? The federal gov't is trying to protect people and...
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TmobileEmp

Jul 29, 2009, 10:22 AM

Cell Ban???

Shouldnt they just make a cell ban while driving? Here in Missouri starting this January if you are making a call while driving its a minimum of $500 fine, but bluetooths or any other hands free device is ok. 2nd offense I believe you get your licenses taken away for so many days. So I think it should be a nationwide ban from using a cell phone at all while driving. Cant say I am not quilty of doing this in my truck or my street bike...
They do have cell phone bans in NY but I really don't see the police enforcing it at all. They should make it a nation wide law and also make the police enforce it. So many accidents are caused when people are driving with one hand on the phone up to ...
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It's getting bad. I am personally addicted and I really try to be safe! I feel safer with a drunk driver at the wheel than with someone texting at the wheel!!!!

I have nearly wrecked a dozen times and actually hit a curb resulting in a flat tire w...
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I don't think a cell ban is necessary. The hands free thing is just fine, but certainly no texting or hands on phone use. It's risky and puts people's lives at risk.
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Whatever happened to speakerphone?!!!? That way people don't have to buy a bluetooth earpiece.
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they have it in texas as well. a cell ban, but only in school zones.
Better yet, ban using "text" as a verb or gerund. "Texting" is not a word.

AJ
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Well since I didnt mention why I think this is important. In December I was sitting at a stop light and got rear ended by someone sending a text message. He was diong 45mph and I was sitting still. I was in the ER for about 8 hours from really bad whi...
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Most states have already implemented some sort of law banning the use of cell phones while driving. Your state is no different then the others except perhaps enforcement.

Banning "Texting" is simply another step. They are trying to make the roads "...
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I have not heard of any such laws in Missouri of an all cell phone ban.
They did just pass a law that people under 22 could not text while driving. Apparently the officers can look at someone driving and pull them over under the suspicion of text...
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bdo3272

Jul 29, 2009, 7:18 PM

How do they plan on enforcing this?

How are they going to know who was texting or emailing? I know there is technology that can stop the device from communicating if the device is traveling faster than a certain speed. (say 20 mph) besides mandating the installation of the technology in all future phones, I dont see how they can enforce, regulate or prove that one was engaged in textual conduct. Or any lawyer worth his salt can figure out a way to get around this...any ideas???
to amend my previous statement, if there is an accident, surely there is a way to trace the sms history. but are they only going to enforce this on accidents? if so, its pointless, cuz the reason they are doing this is to PREVENT the accidents, not ...
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First of all LOL @ "Textual Conduct" had me rolling. Heres the deal irreguardless of whether or not any of you believe this a driver texting is very easy to spot, and i dont care how alert u are, you might as well be driving with a blindfold, never e...
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Veritas117

Jul 30, 2009, 7:48 AM

How about...

seatbelt laws? I am all for this cell phone ban as it endangers others. However, I am completely against seatbelt laws. I could completely require any of my passengers to wear one, but when I am alone, how is it the government's right to dictate what I do when it doesn't cause a dangerous situation for anyone other than myself? And recent research on seatbelt injuries even gives a little more reason for arguement on whether seatbelts actually save lives 100% of the time.
True, but its also true that without a seatbelt your body becomes a missile, personally, if your driving retarded and dont have a belt on i dont need your body coming through my windshield to kill people in my car that ive belted properly
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netboy

Jul 29, 2009, 1:01 PM

Ban wearing clothes while driving next??

accidents is accidents!
if some1 is wearing clothes and have an accidents!
should we ban clothes and drive nuked? haha
Did the cloths contribute to the accident? Was you wearing someone reflective that caused the sun to shine in your eye and result in a accident? If so, then reflective cloths should be banned.

I pray that you dont ever get into a accident caused b...
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@netboy,

Even if you point made any sense, can you at least try to check your spelling?
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😳 When you are old enough to get your license, Please wear your clothes and spare me the visual!
Being silly is one thing, but illiterate is another. Hey guy, please hit the spell check button and save us all the headache of figuring out what your post says. Too late to save us the visual of everyone driving naked...ewww.
First off your spelling and grammar are horrid. If you want people to take you seriously, at least have a basic grasp of the English language.

And I responded to your other post:
https://www.phonescoop.com/news/discuss.php?fm=m&ff= ... »...
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that is one of the stupidest comments ive heared on the entire internet...in a long time, being distracted while driving is dangerous....unless your clothes are obstructing your view they arent a danger...
jhr2112

Jul 29, 2009, 12:40 PM

Don't Ban

Don't ban texting, we have an over population problem and this will help cull the American herd. 🤣
🤣 🤣 🤣
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Area51

Jul 29, 2009, 1:15 PM

How would they know you were texting prior to the accident?

I know if was guilty I wouldn't volunteer the fact that I was texting right before a crash.
I know when the train conductor crahsed, they knew he was texting because a message was sent a few seconds before impact. That would be a good way of telling. Plus, if the phone survives, it can be checked there...in addition to phone records. So if y...
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You would not need to volunteer. In the case here in Rochester NY where five Highschool girls were killed in an accident, Phone records were pulled and found that the texts to and from the young driver's phone were being made up until aproximately 10 ...
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Umm, the same way they know you just put your seatbelt on before they pulled you over for not wearing a seatbelt. It's going to be their eyes against your word. And how obvious is it that you are driving under the speed limit, slightly recklessly, a...
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netboy

Jul 29, 2009, 2:36 PM

there accidents before cellphones!

before there are cellphones!
car accidents still happens!
blame it on talking to passengers?
blame it on wearing clothes?
let ban wearing clothes while driving!
and ban car from carrying passengers also!
Accidents is accidents!
Yes, accidents will happen. That is unavoidable. But this article isn't claiming that banning text messaging while driving will stop all accidents from happening, just lower the amount caused by the distraction of text messaging. I sincerely hope t...
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This doesn't even make sense, clothes don't distract you from driving. Text messaging is the worste thing you can do while you drive. Your eyes are off the road and focused on the phone. I read a study saying that you are 70% more likely to have an...
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when someone was texting and driving.. think
again..

There were accidents before cell phones.. but now that we do have them people are being stupid with them so we have to make rules for ourselves.. that simple.

Or do you make toast in the tub...
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TheBlueCat

Jul 29, 2009, 9:40 PM

everyone arguing over this is a baby..

bottom line is we are supposed to be paying full attention to the road..

when your texting while driving your being a fool.. we have all seen tape of this and its true.. we make rules for ourselves so we don't get hurt that's all..

so all of us who are whining get over it. a text can always wait.

Can one person name a text that so important as to hurt or kill over? I doubt it highly.

Or if you were in an accident cause of a stupid person texting would you get you car and say "oh its cool.. I believe in our rights to type and drive"
RottenApple83

Jul 29, 2009, 11:27 AM

It's like driving under the influence of alcohol as they say..

So my friend told me that his state calls it DRIVING UNDER TEXTICATION... LOL. he lives in phoenix.
 
 
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