A new survey shows that 1 in 4 Americans text while driving. That’s not good news for road safety, no sir.
The survey, which was conducted by Vlingo, says that 26 percent of people admit to texting while driving—the implication is that plenty more people text while driving than admit to doing so. (Note: Polls are created with this type of “are they telling the truth?” scenario in mind, so it should make a huge impact on the final percentage.) The poll surveyed 4,800 people.
Only a few states here in the U.S. ban texting while driving, including Washington state (the first state to ban the dangerous activity) and New Jersey (home to housewives or something).
The problem is that texting while driving isn’t seen as an inherently dangerous activity, at least compared to something like drink driving; everyone knows that’s a no-no. “What’s the harm in sending out a text while I’m behind the wheel?” Well, mister-think-you’re-Fernando-Alonso, any time you take your eyes off the road that puts everyone in danger, and not just you. All it takes is one stray maneuver and you’re looking at a huge pile-up.
So, in conclusion, just knock it off already. That, or Greg will get really sad. We don’t want that to happen, now do we?
I guess I am as guilty as the next person for using my iphone while driving. Anytime I get a comment or text, I immediately respond even while on the highway. Not worth the risk, and I should stop!
I wonder how many people browse the internet or check email and drive . . .
This is the situation everywhere I suppose not just in America, Here also people are keen to text while driving and not bothering for any thing else. But this thing is highly dangerous I think.
The other day I saw Arrington texting while driving on 280 South. I intercepted the message (included below).
From: MA
To: Larry Lessig
LL, I just posted about the AG in SC. He is a piece of jerky. Meet me at Craigslist and we’ll get all up in that. Bring some whipees. Your Boy Friday.
Agreed. There’s data showing that talking on cellphones (even handsfree), reading, texting and even being in a carload of teens distracts a driver from driving safely. In my town, it seems that every other driver is yapping on their cellphone even when struggling to make turns with one hand, etc. It’s crazy.
Pull over to yap, chat, text, or whatever, even to talk or spoof if you can’t focus that well.
did they post the specific questions? What if it was ambiguous and people responded this way because they text when at a red light? I do that sometimes but then set the BB down when light turns green. @robblewis
texting while driving? please, that’s kindergarten shit. Now, with my iphone, I browse the web, vote on digg, read tech crunch, send emails, read emails, and tweet while driving.
texting? please. grow up.
Don’t forget about the burger and fries…
OMFG, do you use some geo-location service? :-))) I would like to subscribe, so as our ways never cross :-)))
Try to STOP/THINK: About all those accidents you’ve heard about or see on the highway and or of all the animals that are killed (we don’t often see dead or bleeding people but we do see dead animals) and If you don’t care about yourself, care about your loved ones and others that you could injure or kill by talking or texting while driving.
My brothers phone allows you to flip it open, and text while still in a phone call.
I’ve seen him many time whipping down the highway talking to my mom while texting his wife. Incredible!
See ibrakefortextmessages.com …
12 states ban texting while driving, but only 5 states (and DC) ban handheld cell phones totally (CA, CT, LA, NJ, WA + DC). See here for more info: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
Unfortunately, the Washington law is secondary enforcement. You can’t be given a ticket just for texting or talking on a cell phone. You have to be pulled over for another offense, and then the officer can add on a penalty for cell phone use.
Unless you are a police office then you can call/text/___ to your hearts content while driving.
Yeeah, I see a lot of people talking on the phone and cutting off at the same time. This IS dangerous.
I text, email, read, whatever I want on my phone while driving. Some people have the dexterity and ability to multi-task, and some people don’t.
All you old people need to stop complaining. lol
I hope you die soon on the road, you retard scum
Bad idea Insider,
’cause he’ll probably kill someone else. :-(
Some people have responsibilities, others – don’t. All you young people need to stop bragging and start caring about the world, not only about your egos.
lol It’s not about ego, it’s just not unsafe for some of us.
*Sent from my iPhone while driving home from work.*
Haha:
I agree that few of use can do this. The problem is that everybody think he/she they can.
Actually, I do not understand what kind of force make you checking e-mails every n-minutes?
Absolutely crazy. It was proven years ago by proper testing that using a phone while driving is more dangerous than drink driving – that study prompted the UK gov to ban phone usage without a handsfree kit. Texting has to be twice as bad as making a simple voice call. I think it will soon become illegal to actually use a phone in a car, as handsfree kits are almost as dangerous. So, if you kill someone while driving using your phone, chances are you’ll be up for manslaughter rather than driving without due care.
Yeah, it’s just a matter of time before this gets banned as well… and for good reason.
I can’t believe people would actually do this!
ohh, I have two phones. I was talking on one phone and sending an email from the other one while I was driving with my knee doing 50 miles per hour. In cities like NY where people can’t really hold the phone to talk without getting a ticket, the next best thing to do is texting.
Texting while driving should be part of the driving test around the country. You can’t get your license unless you can prove you can text and drive. :)
I’m pretty sure that if you get pulled over, the officer is going to ticket you for texting too. I don’t think you are “getting one over” on anyone.
seriously those people are just asking for it. get bluetooth!
This guy was killed by a 17 year old who was texting while driving: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=107122010852&ref=mf
It’s very sad and very stupid. If it causes an accident and results in a death then it should be murder like drinking and driving.
To I-Phone-Holic
You sir are a supreme a-hole.I hope when you get killed that you don’t take any innocent lives with you!
Simple, we need Qwerty Steering wheels and just throw the text up as an overlay onto your windshield.
“HEY BFF I’M COMING OVER TO SEE YOOOUURRRaslifdhiDIF(#*&(*$(%(….”
We need voice texting technology!
One correction:
Kimi Raikkonen, Formula 1’s resident cocky prick, would have been a more appropriate example. Alonso is better known for his crybaby antics.
Ok, back to the pleas for saving lives and whatnot.
Haven’t they seen 7 pounds? Sorry if that ruins the movie for you.
I would, but then I can’t hold my latte.
R we going to wait until 1 in 4 Americans are dead due to texting?
Maybe Obama can make a car with verbal texting. Oh I know! We can offer that course the cop’s use that teaches them how to run license plates on their laptops while driving.
Anyone who texts while driving pretty much is asking for something bad to happen.
To haha,You’re one of the main reasons why punk teenagers shouldn’t even have a driver’s license,let’s see how funny it is when you or someone you love gets killed behind the wheel because of your multi-tasking.You need to seriously grow up and realize that a car is not a toy
Until I see studies showing a correlation between accidents & texting, I remain unconvinced that it’s really a big problem. Sure it can be dangerous, but if you’re going to go around banning all this stuff you may as well make “being a bad driver” illegal too.
Being a bad driver is illegal, for sure. If you don’t stop on red lights, you will get a ticket some day. It might be a ticket to another world.
you’re an idiot…. you shouldn’t even have a license. Please, do not breed.
Surely if your hands and feet are in on an operation, you may want to have your eyes/brain/cognition in on the act as well.
I saw a young woman texting while driving and she ran a stop sign. Lucky for her there was nothing coming. She was in the middle of the intersection when she looked up and realized she had run the stop sign.
Texting while driving is extremely dangerous. It’s going to lead to as many fatalities as drunk driving.
I’m a motorcycle rider and it really scares me when people text while driving because of exactly what you described. In a car at least we’re somewhat protected if/when that woman hits someone. If she hits me on my motorcycle……..not good.
This survey is ridiculous,its a well known fact americans can’t multi-task!
Now, driving while thinking about the girlfriend should also be illegal. There will be a study on that too, i am sure.
a study for driving while you just got fired.
driving while hungry and angry at the same time, but not on weekends.
driving while eating onion rings from BK during school days.
driving while it’s raining.
driving while, well, talking to your passengers. That should be illegal too, I am sure.
I am sure there was no accident before cell phones were invented. Let’s jus ban cell phones. Those stupid little things should be banned.
you’re an idiot too. You also-don’t breed with @k2108 above. Please. Thanks.
Texting while driving just creeps up on you slowly. I used to avoid doing it, then something really important comes through and you think to yourself” I’ll just send this one message really quick.” After that it’s all down hill. You’ve done it once so you keep doing it. I admit, it’s bad but I do it on occasion. I’m trying to quit though.
I am trying to quit too, jon. Maybe we need to go to therapy or something. then we can write a book, how to text and drive for dummies.
I disagree with my boss. Piloting a commuter train does not mean the same as “driving”.
Admittedly, texting while motorcycling is worse…
haha you make me laugh :P but it’s true.. definitely not a good idea
That sucks, I mean we should really focus on the wheel and the road when we’re driving. To me it’s really dangerous being distracted by texting or even checking my mail while driving.
Sadly, the headline could have also read: Not Safe: Poll Finds 2-in-4 Americans Sext While Driving
Every one of the 1 in 4 apparent idiots who engage in this should be strapped into a chair to watch the movie “Seven Pounds,” after which they are likely to never text and drive again. Literally one second can make the difference between life and massive death and destruction and a lifetime of remorse.
It’s never safe to use cellphone while driving. never mix driving with calling.
Unfortunately, I don’t see this problem getting any better in the coming years, with the addition of web access to most people’s phones, other features, etc…..
there are a few states that down allow texting while driving, it is more dangerous than I though according to this: http://www.newsy.com/videos/texting_and_driving_your_right_or_a_new_way_to_crash