Unpopular opinion: legalize texting & driving

[millah_22]

My insurance disagrees. They charge me a little bit over $25/month, per vehicle, for my car insurance. Standard coverages w/ $500 deductibles.

They seem to think I'm a pretty safe risk to them...of course, I haven't filed a claim in >20 years now, with the last one being fully recovered from the other driver who was at fault for an illegal lane change and sideswiped me.

Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr. I have never been in any accidents.

 

[Joes Place]

Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr. I have never been in any accidents.

Nope

Been in a few.
None I've been at-fault for.

 

[Flie]

I’m going to intermittently close my eyes while driving. Usually only for five seconds at a time. Don’t worry though, I’m good at it unlike those idiots who get in wrecks while doing it.

 

[millah_22]

I’m going to intermittently close my eyes while driving. Usually only for five seconds at a time. Don’t worry though, I’m good at it unlike those idiots who get in wrecks while doing it.

I've actually perfected sleeping with my eyes open so that i can take cat naps while driving.

 

[SoDakHawk]

If I saw you doing that right before you tee boned someone I’d probably kill you myself before the cops got there.
WHO does not have a vehicle that both lets you link up to talk hands free or have a text read for you?
Are you that poor? 😡

When I posted that back in 2021 it was sarcasm. Almost 2 years later and it is still sarcasm.

 

[goldmom]

When I posted that back in 2021 it was sarcasm. Almost 2 years later and it is still sarcasm.

💋😉

 

[FAUlty Gator]

I know some of you will think I’m nuts. But I think we are taking the wrong approach to texting and driving.

It’s obviously a dangerous issue... but why? When you’re texting behind the wheel and completely swerving into the other lane or not seeing brake lights in front of you, you clearly are not looking at the road at all.

Why are these people not looking at the road at all? Because their phone is on their lap or down low. Why? Because it’s illegal and they don’t want others to know they’re texting.

If it were legal, we could actually teach people to do it safely. Starting with holding the phone up higher so you can see the road behind it. You look for a second and then look at the road for 2-3 seconds. In this manner it is no different than checking your speed, mirrors, or anything else on your dash.

I know some of you will tell stories of injuries and deaths to refute. But in all those cases the person texting was doing it wrong and unsafely; having it legal and educating how to do it could have saved a life.

What about texting and engineering?

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

So you’re basically a danger to society…

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

Distracted Driving | NHTSA

Learn about distracted driving and consequences and dangers of texting and driving. Also get info on distracted driving statistics.

www.nhtsa.gov

No; it doesn't

It only does IF you defocus to your phone for 5 seconds. You can treat your phone like every other gadget in your car if you choose to operate it that way.

I fully understand, that the vast majority of people cannot exercise 1-2s discipline with their phones.

I do not stare at my radio, phone, or climate controls for "5 seconds", ever.

Lest we forget…

 

[NoleATL]

Why are these people not looking at the road at all? Because their phone is on their lap or down low. Why?

Wrong

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Hey @binsfeldcyhawk2, can you explain how you actually drive safer while adjusting your radio?

Texting And Driving Statistics 2024

Texting and driving is one of the riskiest behaviors drivers can engage in behind the wheel. When you send or read a text, you may only take your eyes off of the road for a few seconds. But according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving at 55 mph while sending or re

www.forbes.com

 

[Joes Place]

Texting And Driving Statistics 2024

Texting and driving is one of the riskiest behaviors drivers can engage in behind the wheel. When you send or read a text, you may only take your eyes off of the road for a few seconds. But according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving at 55 mph while sending or re

www.forbes.com

Yes; I'd explained to you several times in this thread why. And it's because people are idiots with their tech.

 

[goldmom]

Advances in tech will pretty much allow folks to sync up so they can ask that texts be read aloud in your car right?
Sorry but if I get a text while I’m driving I don’t check it.
It can wait. If someone needs to tell me something that’s urgent they can call me and my phone is linked in my car and I talk hands free.

Do not text and drive. You don’t have the RIGHT to ruin my day. Or my loved ones.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Should also have a class you can enroll in where you drink alcohol and see if you can pass a driving test. Keep drinking until you fail and that is your personal assigned legal limit.

 

[goldmom]

Should also have a class you can enroll in where you drink alcohol and see if you can pass a driving test. Keep drinking until you fail and that is your personal assigned legal limit.

And on that note since 2020 DUI deaths are climbing - but DUI arrests are down.
I vote that the cops get busy on that, and any drunk gets physically dragged out of their car and has the ever loving CRAP beaten out of them, and their arrest record sent to their employer. So that they are fired just before they’re sent to a rehab prison for a mandatory year.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

And on that note since 2020 DUI deaths are climbing - but DUI arrests are down.
I vote that the cops get busy on that, and any drunk gets physically dragged out of their car and has the ever loving CRAP beaten out of them, and their arrest record sent to their employer. So that they are fired just before they’re sent to a rehab prison for a mandatory year.

Seems odd that cars don’t offer at least an informative breathalyzer device. Likely save more lives than the 9th or 10th required airbag.