Texting & driving
The Kansas City Star - July 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Calling Kansas ... legislators.
If you’re driving, do not take this call. Emphatically, do not read the accompanying text message.
Return to them when you are parked and not likely to rear-end the vehicle in front of you, get rear-ended or endanger the pedestrian on the sidewalk.
And then, listen up.
It’s time to ban motorists from talking on cell phones and texting while driving.
Anecdotal and statistical evidence about the dangerous practice is piling up — so to speak. ...
In Kansas, a 19-year-old woman died near Manhattan after she drove onto a median, overcorrected and flipped her car. Texting, again.
One study after another has highlighted the hazards of multitasking behind the wheel.
According to the Transportation Research Institute at the University of Kansas, cell phone users are more than five times as likely to be involved in a traffic accident as undistracted motorists.
Multiple studies have pointed out that cell phone use raises the risk of driving to that of a legally drunken driver.
And yet, partly because of inaction by government officials, behind-the-wheel phone use and texting are accepted as common practices. ... The Kansas Legislature this year restricted drivers younger than 16 and a half from using cell phones. ...
Those are good steps but not enough. Besides creating hazards, drivers on cell phones increase traffic congestion, experts say. There is simply no way to justify the practice.
States must stop indulging a deadly habit and outlaw behind-the-wheel text messaging and cell phone use.
In addition, state and local police should routinely note the use of cell phones and communication devices in crash investigations.
And the federal government should do its part with comprehensive research and a vigorous public safety campaign.
eiggohp (anonymous) says...
I would definately agree....take away cellphones and especially texting while driving. Most of this is not necessary....just go back a few years and these were not even available, and we all did fine. Let's face it, when you are using your hands and eyes for something other than driving, you are not paying attention to what you are doing. So many unnecessary deaths, especially in young people, have happened because of this and it must come to a stop!
Government officials, are you listening????? now do something about it!
August 4, 2009 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Oh I get it. HUA
lol
Reminds me of what we used to say in the Army 'cept differnt.
August 4, 2009 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
" Let's not go overboard with these bans, however. "
Thats a good one, coming from you crackinsack !
August 4, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
HUA(the good one)
August 4, 2009 at 9:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
hey crack
"Texting while driving is another one of those areas that SHOULD be common sense."
oh, you mean like being smart enough to avoid smokey environments that you don't like.
August 4, 2009 at 10:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
my biggest fear of cell phones is radiation of the brain. my girlfriend says, i got first stage. who knows steve and i might go on stage. the first stage out of town.
August 4, 2009 at 11:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
texting while driving is stupid.....anyone who texts and drives is stupid.....people that get killed while texting and driving is just thining the herd.....unfortunately they take innocent people with them. So if caught texting and driving perhaps you should have your fingers cut off...that should learn you.
The only other ban I would vote for is one to ban crackinsack.
August 5, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nutsaboutools (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately a ban would be impossible to enforce (look how well they enforce the so called "Click it or Ticket" law. What they should do is make it impact their wallet. If you cause a traffic violation and/or (heaven forbid) a traffic "mishap" your insurance provider (or better yet an insurance "blacklist") is notified, thus resulting in an increase in your rates. And should you injure someone else or damage their vehicle/property you will be held liable for all costs.
August 5, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
The only problem with your idea nutsabouttools is that most of the people that text and drive are those self-proclaimed brilliant...but actually still very immature.....young minds that don't think anything like that will happen to them. Then when it does...daddy and mommy end up paying for it.
August 5, 2009 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I know this is outdated thinking and has no place in "the modern world" but what if parents taught their children that the world does not revolve around them and their opinions, thoughts, and desires. Then maybe they wouldn't feel the need to get their message out immediately and they could wait a few minutes until they were done driving.
August 5, 2009 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
seriouslyfolks......because daddy and mommy are often just as self-centerd and full of themselves as their kids. Where do you think the kids got it from?
August 5, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
That's true, that's why we don't need change, we need to change.
August 5, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )