Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 8:14 AM
https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2011/08/16/texting-while-driving-bill-gets-legislatures-ok
Town Square
Texting-while-driving bill gets Legislature's OK
Original post made on Aug 16, 2011
Read the full story here Web Link posted Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 8:14 AM
Comments
Posted by Terry Bennington
a resident of another community
on Aug 16, 2011 at 9:38 am
a resident of another community
on Aug 16, 2011 at 9:38 am
Congratulations! Now, learn the acronym "TWDNHFP." It means "Texting And Driving While Hiding From Police. The IIHS says you have about a 75% chance accidents caused by texting will go up as people hide their phones from police.
Since the statistics on hand-held law statistics are skewed by driver honesty ("Honest officer, I wasn't talking on my Bluetooth when I ___"), let's see what other safety-oriented organizations have to say about it...
The National Safety Council says you're drunk, no matter if your hand-held or hands-free: PDF @ Web Link
The Governor's Highway Safety Association agrees - no difference: PDF @ Web Link
The NHTSA agrees - no difference: Web Link
The NSC says 28% of all accidents involve someone using a cell phone, 25% talking and 3% texting: PDF @ Web Link
Less than 3 people out of 100 can actually talk and drive safely. What's that say about the other 97 people driving next to you and chatting? Web Link
So, let's see... 25% talking and 3% texting? Yeah, let's ban texting! Way to go, Sen. Joe Simitian! Take-on the BIG issues!
Posted by Donald
a resident of another community
on Aug 16, 2011 at 1:44 pm
a resident of another community
on Aug 16, 2011 at 1:44 pm
I applaud Simitian for doing what he can on this legislation. His first attempts were shot down by lobbying from the phone companies. He started small and is increasing the scope of the law, because a sweeping ban would not have a chance of being passed. Also, this law underwent some changes since he wrote it and you can't attribute it all to him. These are all steps in the right direction, and it is unfair to criticize him for not going far enough.
