Lawmakers may ban texting while driving

It still amazes me how legally we have to spell out what you can't do while driving.

Maybe we could put all the cell phone drivers & text messagers on a race track & cull the herd.

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Lawmakers may ban texting while driving
Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:19AM EDT
By Jon Hurdle

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - New Jersey drivers who insist on sending text messages on their cell phones or personal digital assistants may find themselves on the wrong side of the law if legislators approve a new bill.

The plan is in response to a recent Nationwide Insurance survey finding that one in five drivers are texting while driving, a figure that rises to about one in three among people aged 18 to 34, said Democratic Assemblyman Paul Moriarty.

"It's extremely dangerous," said Moriarty, one of three sponsors of the bill. "It requires you to completely take your eyes off the road. I see people driving down the street using both their thumbs to send a text message, and I can only imagine they are steering with their knees."

Drivers caught texting would be fined between $100 and $250. Similar measures are being considered by three other states, Moriarty said.

The measure would allow police to pull over any driver found texting while driving, a tougher approach than currently allowed under the state's ban on drivers using a mobile phone on the highway. Under that law police are only allowed to stop drivers if they are also committing another offense.

Critics have asked why the bill does not also seek to outlaw other sources of driver-distraction such as coffee or food, but Moriarty said such a bill would never pass the state legislature.

The bill, introduced last week, has 20 co-sponsors -- both Democrats and Republicans. It is expected to be debated in a committee during May or June and then pass to the full Assembly and the Senate whose leaders have indicated they are in favor, the assemblyman said.

Message edited 3/27/2007 11:10:06 AM.

Re: Lawmakers may ban texting while driving

I agree it's ridiculous. A reasonable person would realize it's impossible to drive safely and type at the same time. This along with the courtesy laws of the subway may just be my favorites. We actually needed to make a law to say move your bags so someone can sit.

Re: Lawmakers may ban texting while driving

It is ridiculous that laws are made for this...but who in their right mind can text while driving.

Re: Lawmakers may ban texting while driving

Re: Lawmakers may ban texting while driving

DH and I just saw someone texting while driving over the weekend. I was amazed someone would do something so stupid.

Re: Lawmakers may ban texting while driving

Re: Lawmakers may ban texting while driving

Whew, so it looks like I can still legally play with my PSP video games while driving!

It's sad that there needs to be a written law basically saying "Keep your eyes on the road while you are driving a 2 ton vehicle at 65+ mph"..... and what's worse, is that they have to keep including more distractions. "But officer, I'm not talking on my phone, and I'm not texting, I'm just surfing the web on my phone, so it's OK."....

Re: Lawmakers may ban texting while driving

I'm sorry...wouldn't this be considered covered under "Hands Free" cell use?

Isn't there already a law against it??