Texas Senate Passes Texting While Driving Ban

May 22, 2017

  • May 22, 2017 at 1:48 pm
    Rick says:
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    Perry, for the most part, did no harm while in his long tenure as Texas governor. His veto of this bill was an exception. Great harm. People will still text and drive regardless of law, just like drinking, but the law will deter many. How many folks would be alive today had Perry not vetoed it 6 yeas ago?

    • May 22, 2017 at 2:39 pm
      Agent says:
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      I want to see the Governor actually signing this bill 6 years after it was first passed. This is a watered down version, but still better than not having a texting ban. The fools will keep doing it, but many will be caught. Perhaps after a couple of hefty fines, they will decide not to do it.

      • May 24, 2017 at 7:26 am
        CL PM says:
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        Unfortunately, I don’t think the fines described in the bill are “hefty.” $99 and $200 don’t cause enough pain. I like the effort to legislate this, but it is not likely the answer for stopping this behavior. And, I don’t have the answer, either. Just don’t know what is lacking in people’s lives that they think the new text message is so important they must read it RIGHT NOW no matter what they are doing.

  • May 22, 2017 at 3:03 pm
    retired risk manager says:
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    The use of cell phones is so ingrained in our culture that anyone under 40 is literally incapable of not using their phones at all times. The reason is simple. If they are not constantly in touch with someone, anyone, they feel as if they do not exist.

    The solution to texting while driving is simple. If the phone records show that a driver was talking, texting, whatever, then no matter who was at fault, no recovery. But wait you cry !!, what if the other driver was at fault? Sorry, no sale. That means you were not driving defensively, and could have avoided the accident.

    Just stay off the phone while driving. Period.

    • May 22, 2017 at 4:39 pm
      Rosenblatt says:
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      Texting while driving is extremely dangerous and a scourge right now we need to stop from getting worse, but here’s my problem with your “If the phone records show that a driver was talking, texting, whatever, then no matter who was at fault, no recovery” theory.

      Say I’m driving, but I give my wife my cell and she’s texting and talking on it instead of me (this happens a lot with us). Solely by cell records, the driver’s cell was in use, but you have failed to prove the driver was actually using the phone!

      Now I’m “guilty before innocent” which is backwards, right? If I’m the only one in the car, your theory is excellent. But why should I be presumed guilty solely because my device is in use when I’m behind the wheel when someone else was actually using the cell phone?

      How could I possibly prove I’m innocent in court knowing passengers are inherently biased and therefore are not considered as valid witnesses on my behalf?

      • May 23, 2017 at 11:50 am
        Agent says:
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        Rosenblatt, what would prevent you from quickly handing your phone to your wife after an incident and claiming your innocence? Don’t start that word parsing with me on this issue. Most families have a smart phone for each adult and often the kids riding in back. The drivers phone should be in the glove compartment when the car is moving.

        • May 23, 2017 at 12:15 pm
          Ron says:
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          And that, along with Rosenblatt’s point, is why this a flawed approach. You cannot restrict the freedom and liberty of innocent people.

          What if the driver is expecting an important business call or text and the passenger is monitoring the phone in order to respond?

          This is a different day than how you and I grew up, Agent. The more to try to resist progress, the further you will be behind.

          What was Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote? Oh yeah, “Those who would give up Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety”

          • May 23, 2017 at 12:22 pm
            Rosenblatt says:
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            Agreed Ron. I didn’t want to word parse in my reply and explain my wife and I do not always receive the same text. Some people text her, others text me, RARELY does someone send us a group text, and sometimes I get work texts which definitely she doesn’t get. But that’s way too in the weeds for my concern about being guilty until I can prove my innocence.

          • May 23, 2017 at 8:09 pm
            RiceSusan Hacked the 2012 Election says:
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            The ‘persons expecting an important call’ mentality is EXACTLY what people are claiming is an ADDICTION to cell phones and calls and texting.

            Persons expecting an important call should be pulled over, off the road, waiting for that call at a PRECISE TIME per prior agreement of the two parties.

            Contrived scenario situations that are poorly designed are EASY to rebut effectively …

        • May 23, 2017 at 12:18 pm
          Rosenblatt says:
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          I guess nothing could stop me from doing that, but that’s not the point I was trying to make.

          My issue with the suggestion R.R.M. posted is why am I presumed to be guilty and have to prove my innocence?

          Do you agree that’s completely backwards from how our judicial system is supposed to work???

          We’re supposed to be innocent until we’re proven guilty, right???

          • May 23, 2017 at 3:56 pm
            Agent says:
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            Rosenblatt, I don’t think you will have to worry about it too much unless you are clearly violating the law. The cops are not that observant and we wouldn’t want them to go without their coffee and donuts.

            I believe most will be caught while standing still waiting for a red light and the cop will pull up beside them, honk to pull over and get a big ticket for their trouble.

          • May 23, 2017 at 4:19 pm
            Rosenblatt says:
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            We should all worry if our judicial system even considers flipping the script towards “guilty until proven innocent.” I am not sure you are considering the full scope of something as terrible as that maxim taking hold in our courts.

  • May 24, 2017 at 3:38 pm
    mrbob says:
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    Why not just enforce the laws already on the books. Not an expert on Texas law but bottom line is that in almost all states the driver is responsible for maintaining control of the vehicle at all times. Just enforce failure to maintain control regardless of reason and the rest becomes a mute point.

    I realize for some that would not feel as good but you have to agree the result is the same distracted driving regardless of cause is the problem not texting per se.

    • May 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm
      Agent says:
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      mrbob, I am sure you were aware of the young man who killed 13 seniors in their church van recently. Texting while driving, smoking dope and out of control. What a tragedy!

      • May 31, 2017 at 8:26 am
        mrbob says:
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        Well aware and the individual committed many traffic violations as well as criminal reckless endangerment and manslaughter for DUI. The texting is failing to control the vehicle so why then do we need another law?



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