Is text driving as bad as drunk driving?

Published on August 29th, 2009

Posted by SN in General, Politics, Technology, computers, legal

Slashdot – August 29, 2009:

The NY Times reports on legislation in Utah which harshly penalizes people who cause fatal car accidents while texting. Instead of merely facing a fine, offenders may now get up to 15 years in jail — the same as drunk drivers.

“In effect, a crash caused by such a multitasking motorist is no longer considered an ‘accident’ like one caused by a driver who, say, runs into another car because he nodded off at the wheel. Instead, such a crash would now be considered inherently reckless. ‘It’s a willful act,’ said Lyle Hillyard, a Republican state senator and a big supporter of the new measure. ‘If you choose to drink and drive or if you choose to text and drive, you’re assuming the same risk.’ The Utah law represents a concrete new response in an evolving debate among legislators around the country about how to reduce the widespread practice of multitasking behind the wheel — a topic to be discussed at a national conference about the dangers of distracted driving that is being organized by the Transportation Department for this fall.”

28 users responded in " Is text driving as bad as drunk driving? "

Subscribe to this post comment rss or trackback url

# 1 bobbo, as bad? said, on August 29th, 2009 at 6:24 am

Its much WORSE! Drinking has many redeeming beneficial aspects to it.

Texting==none. It should be on a par with masturbating in public.

# 2 Jägermeister said, on August 29th, 2009 at 6:29 am

Yes, it’s impaired driving.

# 3 SN said, on August 29th, 2009 at 6:37 am

I actually think texting while driving is worse. At least then you’re sober and should know better.

# 4 Weary Reaper said, on August 29th, 2009 at 7:08 am

Many legislators have thus far made a distinction between texting and dialing, though researchers say dialing creates many of the same risks.

No shit?

We really do need to pass a law, requiring some minimum level of intelligence to qualify as a legislator.

# 5 pfkad said, on August 29th, 2009 at 7:08 am

I only text when I’m driving drunk.

# 6 SN said, on August 29th, 2009 at 7:18 am

“I only text when I’m driving drunk.”

If cartoons have taught me anything, it’s that the two dangers would cancel each other out.

# 7 MikeN said, on August 29th, 2009 at 7:32 am

They should ban texting while driving, and talking on the cell phone while driving, and eating while driving.

# 8 Stopher2475 said, on August 29th, 2009 at 7:47 am

On average I’d say worse. At least a drunk driver is trying to watch the road. Of course that doesn’t count for the super drunk driver like that chick who went down the wrong side of the highway.

# 9 Kittyburgers said, on August 29th, 2009 at 7:56 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ttNgZDZruI

Here is an advert from the UK

# 10 ran6110 said, on August 29th, 2009 at 7:58 am

#7 Don’t for get putting makeup on or shaving…

# 11 muoncapture said, on August 29th, 2009 at 8:12 am

How many of you here have posted your comments from you cell phone? While driving?

# 12 Kanjy said, on August 29th, 2009 at 8:17 am

Maybe if traffic weren’t so congested and slow, it wouldn’t be a problem. I see many people texting on the freeway when the traffic is just creeping along. Perhaps these people are trying to compensate for lost time in the car on the freeway, or more likely, they’re probably just bored.

# 13 Jägermeister said, on August 29th, 2009 at 8:35 am

#9 – ran6110

Or taking drugs…

# 14 Slaphappy said, on August 29th, 2009 at 8:45 am

Why do people text on the phone anyway…it’s a freaking phone.

# 15 Greg Allen said, on August 29th, 2009 at 8:55 am

>> bobbo, as bad? said, on August 29th, 2009 at 6:24 am
>> Its much WORSE! Drinking has many redeeming beneficial aspects to it.

I agree that texting is worse — because it is a clearheaded, deliberate reckless behavior.

There are effective treatment programs for alcoholics. Are there treatment programs for killer narcissists?

>> Texting==none. It should be on a par with masturbating in public.

Texting is great — just pull the damn car over! I suppose the same could be said for your other issue.

# 16 Greg Allen said, on August 29th, 2009 at 8:58 am

>> Slaphappy said, on August 29th, 2009 at 8:45 am
>> Why do people text on the phone anyway…it’s a freaking phone.

I’ve wondered why kids text each other instead of talking — it strikes me as a way to make their friends virtual.

On the other hand, there are times when I would MUCH rather get a text. — like a meeting reminder, party invitation, directions to a home., overdue book notice, etc.

# 17 Greg Allen said, on August 29th, 2009 at 9:01 am

How hard would it be to invent cell-phone jammers that only work inside a car?

I could support those being mandatory for all new cars — assuming the technology is safe and solid.

# 18 noname said, on August 29th, 2009 at 10:40 am

# 16 Greg Allen,

“How hard would it be to invent cell-phone jammers that only work inside a car?”

No jammer needed. The phone GPS knows your velocity. If the velocity is above 10 mph just disable the phone. It can also tell by tower triangulation. Either way if the phone velocity is above 10 mph just disable the phone.

# 19 Jess Hurchist said, on August 29th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

I’ve always thought that the motor car is a deterministic environment and (like aircraft I believe) there are only 3 causes for a crash

– Weather conditions
– Mechanical failure
– Driver error

I really don’t see any driver error resulting in a fatality being better or worse than any other.

# 20 deowll said, on August 29th, 2009 at 12:16 pm

Texting? Nothing wrong with that as long as you are parked. While driving? You are out of your freaking mind!

I have a cousin who died due to putting on lipstick while driving. Okay that’s the best guess because she was alone when she died.

I’m less concerned by eating or drinking non alcoholic beverages but not in heavy traffic or at high speeds.

# 21 Hawkeye said, on August 29th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

Ontario, Canada passed a law to ban talking on a cell phone (other than a headset), texting, eating, and even drinking anything while driving, comes into effect in October. A couple of years ago I heard of Vermont considering the same type of law, so this stuff is not exactly new.

# 22 AdmFubar said, on August 29th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

I wanna know how dangerous it is to us a police radio while behind the wheel?

# 23 sargasso said, on August 29th, 2009 at 1:52 pm

Nanny state. There, someone had to say it. Nanny, nanny, naaaany!

# 24 clancys_daddy said, on August 29th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

and slaphappy for the win

# 25 ECA said, on August 29th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

Let me add to this..
How many of you have READ a book/newspaper/Stupid LONG worded sign AND done something stupid while driving..
How manyu of you have seen the STUNNER of a girl wearing little or nothing along the road and STARED for at least 3 seconds..to look up and find TRAFFIC in front of you.
How many of us have read the Medicine bottle and wondered…HUH?? I cant drive and take this?? And if it was true 1/2 the USA wouldnt be driving..but, we do it anyway, and we are alright, UNTIL we get that 1 drug that makes us LOOPY.

Many of us have done these things, and either SCARED ourselves (SPITLESS), HAD a friend do it (and SCARED US SPITLESS), or ended up in accidents and WORSE.

My aunt HAS TO look at the person SHE is talking to, NO MATTER if they are in the front seat or BACK…SCARED ME SPITLESS, and I took over driving.

I LOVE taking scenic pictures, BUT IT SUCKS when you are the driver and see the BEST SHOT…and cant do anything about it.

# 26 Freyar said, on August 29th, 2009 at 5:52 pm

It’s been the law for a bit actually. Fine and dandy, no texting while driving. Fine. Should have been common sense to begin with actually.

I drive mostly at night, so.. at what point can I bitch at the emergency services for having LED emergency lights that are bright compared to the sun? I wonder how many accidents or seizures those cause.

# 27 Buzz said, on August 30th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

At any rate, texting while sleeping is not nearly as dangerous as sleeping while driving.

# 28 The Perecman Firm said, on August 31st, 2009 at 11:58 am

Texting and driving is worse than driving drunk! Texting while driving slows reaction time by 35%, which is even higher than the rate that reaction time is slowed while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Leave Your Reply Below...

Comment Moderation is Active, so if your comment doesn't
show up immediately, please don't submit it again.

Special Deals 4U

25% off eHarmony subscription with code EHTECH
12-percent discount forever with code TECH
10-percent discount and free month using TECH10
10-percent or 30 dollars off weekly car rental!
Get 10-percent discount on car rental!
Get 10% off rental cars!
Get 10% off Dollar rentals!
Discounts on domain names!