He got this one right, if you can’t operate a cell phone and drive, you shouldn’t be driving. How can you do anything else even think while driving?? This is an unenforceable law anyways. Leave legislating thought to the libs.
I’m not sure I agree with Perry for vetoing text messaging while driving. As an agent, I have seen numerous accidents caused by talking on cell phones and text messaging while driving. It is a major distraction and drivers should be ticketed with a heavy fine for doing it. It is a public safety issue and cannot be ignored. Cell phones are definitely an addiction in this country.
I think debating this type of legislation has value in raising public awareness in forums like this one but it will be difficult to solely legislate our way out of this issue. I just read that 72% of teens text daily – many text more 4000 times a month. New college students no longer have email addresses! They use texting and Facebook – even with their professors. This text and drive issue is in its infancy and its not going away.
I decided to do something about distracted driving after my three year old daughter was nearly run down right in front of me by a texting driver. Instead of a shackle that locks down phones and alienates the user (especially teens) I built a tool called OTTER that is a simple GPS based, texting auto reply app for smartphones. It also silences call ringtones while driving unless you have a bluetooth enabled. I think if we can empower the individual then change will come to our highways now and not just our laws.
I refrain from texting and driving as much as possible and never do it when other cars are on the road. Due to the area that I live in, I travel farm roads a lot and oftentimes I’m the only one for miles in any direction.
With this being said, I am glad that I have the FREEDOM to choose whether to do this or not. This is not an issue that the government has any business sticking their nose in. I feel the same about the erroneous seat belt laws, while I always wear my seat belt as a personal preference, I believe I should have the FREEDOM to choose.
Call it what you will, I learned a lot about freedom in the Persian Gulf and I believe that we need MORE FREEDOM and LESS government intervention.
As far as texting being the cause for accidents, well, ok, but so is/are:
Applying make-up while driving which is currently legal…
SLEEPING while driving which is currently legal…
Shaving while driving which is currently legal…
Messing with your stereo while driving which is currently legal…
Disciplining your children and being completely turned around from the steering wheel while “driving” which is currently legal…
Not paying attention while driving which is currently legal…
You focus on cell phones, I focus on more important things…
People that are addicted to their Blackberry, iphone, ipod cannot even go to the bathroom without them. They are completely addicted to them and cannot wait to download a new app. They live in their own world and should not be on them when they are behind the wheel of a 4,000 pound vehicle going 70+ down the interstate. This is a public safety issue folks.
Our 17 yr old daughter was driving on one of those country roads & texting – no one else around – just like you are talking about. She’s dead because of that choice. Fact is, our brain does not allow us to multitask as we think it does. Texting while driving does not just kill those choosing to text while driving – it also kills innocent people that become victims of those drivers. And not everyone texts when no one else is around. It is a sad situation our world is in when we value a text over a life.
You really put the dumb in freedom, Brian. I actually live in a farming community, and the number of auto accidents are insane in this area, and a great deal of them are caused by cellphone use. You think you have the right to be careless and risk other people’s lives? I don’t care about your false sense of “freedom” or how you think you’re texting safely while driving (which is the stupidest thing I’ve ever read). I care about my life and not having to worry about people like you on the road using your cellphone and crashing into my vehicle. And what’s soooo important in you life that you can’t wait until your done operating a vehicle to text? I’d love to know what you’re texting about… I’m sure the conversations are very poignant and educated.
By the way, this is not the government trying to “control you,” either. This is a state law that Perry vetoed. It’s people like you who have really pulled this county down. You claim you are focusing on more important things? I think the only thing you focus on is yourself and your needs because you are selfish, ignorant and have no concept that there are other people who live in this world. Other people whose lives are at risk because your texting your boyfriend about how you hate wearing seat belts.
“Not paying attention while driving which is currently legal…” Distracted driving is legal? How can driver’s get tickets for doing something that’s legal?
“SLEEPING while driving which is currently legal…” Oh really? I mean, REALLY?!?! Come on.
I refuse to comment on the rest of your post due to those statements.
We already have laws against reckless driving, and we already have avenues for civil recourse against those who cause us damage through their negligence while driving. These apply to ALL activities that can distract a driver, including but not limited to electronic activities.
Those simple facts make any additional laws (such as the texting bill) moot.
Bill, over 30 states have passed bills banning text messaging while driving. Drivers face heavy fines when they are caught. This is one of the most dangerous activities a driver can do while behind the wheel. It is a public safety issue. We also need a big emphasis in Driver’s Education Courses with teens and Defensive Driving classes about the dangers of texting while driving. People just aren’t getting it on how dangerous this is. They are slaves to the cell and have to have it in their hand at all times.
Dangerous activities yes but not the most dangerous.It may be in the top 25 Drunk driving is #1 Having sex #2 Going to sleep #3 and drop dead while driving falls somewhere in top 25.
There are distracted driving laws practically everywhere so why not enforce them. Yes, texting while driving is truly stupid and dangerous just like making waffles on the dashboard but we don’t need a seperate law for that.
we don’t need to give law enforcement another reason to pull us over, seize our phone for evidence, or drive up the cost of phone service to cover cost of record request by law enforcement. They can’t convict without evidence.. You word vs their word unless hard evidence. Perry held to his Republican principals of less government and less government intrusion. Want to curb texting – talking while driving. You cause an accident while texting, mandatory 5 years upon conviction. You cause a death wile texting-talking mandatory 20 years upon conviction.
Oh Jim Bob, I know how badly you want to blame the government for everything, but it’s a state law, not a government mandated law that Perry vetoed. And as for “hard evidence,” there’s this thing called cellphone records (you seem to have heard about them), and these cellphone records can pinpoint the exact time (and often location) of when something is done on a cellphone. Also, I’m not really sure how you’ve come to the conclusion that the cost of phone service would be driven up do to law enforcement pulling up a phone’s records. The phone company does all of this using these things called computers. Please take a second to think before you type next time. Actually, don’t even bother.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say Perry is an idiot. Perhaps he or his staff didn’t give this bill the attention it deserved. Common Sense, which is in short supply with our politicians would say that Text Messaging while driving is a dangerous habit which often leads to accidents, many of them serious. I am having to report a claim on one of my insureds today who was rear ended by a texter not paying attention. The lady did substantial damage to my insured and gave him a whiplash.
problem is enfocing the texting… first of all they would have to have a supeona to get my phone and by the time that is done, i could have erased all messages.. secondly, what if i was typing a phone number to call and you claim i was texting? so, then if the regular person is liable to such a law, can we get the cops? how many of them do the same? how many of them type on a computer while in the car? that would be like texting!! this is just going to get crazy and the lawmakers are trying to make a name for themselves and lawyers just want money from all the lawsuits…
Wud, It is not that hard to see someone in a car texting while driving. I pulled up next to one the other day and he was texting furiously while driving. Regarding the cops, when you see them typing on a computer in their car, they are sitting behind the vehicle they stopped for a moving violation pulling up info to see if the person has a warrant out or checking insurance status. I don’t believe they do it while driving.
you are probably right in most cases… but with our technology today, why do we even carry id cards, reg cards and insurance cards? computers can verify everything we have and validate current or not. technically they do anyways when they run your license numbers or plate numbers. as far as texting, granted i think we can see that more fingers manuever and length of time to find things… i know if i dial fm my phone, i can easily say call whomever or speeddial…
“…if you can’t operate a cell phone and drive, you shouldn’t be driving.” That’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. You’re operating a car to go somewhere. Not communicate. If you can’t drive and operate a cell phone at the same time, PUT DOWN THE CELL PHONE. Perry is a moron. How is the physical act of driving recklessly due to texting significantly different than driving recklessly due to being under the influence of alcohol? True, enforcement is not as easy as, say, enforcing speeding. This still needs to be made illegal. It will take a few years of education and enforcement (and reviewing phone records in a lawsuit or two).
You are right Comrade. This is a no brainer as a Public Safety issue. The cell addicts will say they have it under control and can handle it. That is the same thing drug addicts say. Why do we have to have tragic accidents before people wake up and see how dangerous this habit is? Cells in cars should be used in emergencies to call for help if needed, not to tweet or check the facebook every 30 seconds.
Careless Driving is already a crime. If you have an accident as a result of texting, you’ll get a careless driving citation. If an officer sees you texting and driving unsafely as a result, you’ll get a careless driving citation.
Not sure why there is a need for another law. Enforce the laws you have.
We need wide coverage in newspapers, TV, Radio, Internet that text messagers will be fined heavily if caught texting while driving. If a driver has an accident and cell use distracted them, they should be cited as well.
Hillsborough, I think the point is to identify careless driving before an accident occurs. Agree we need to enforce the laws that we have but it doesn’t hurt for law enforcement to have one extra arrow in their quiver to identify & enforce bad driving behavior. What’s the annual highway death toll now – over 40k? I suspect the people of TX wanted this law but Perry has to show he’s a true conservative republican. Wonder why he didn’t use the same argument of “government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults” on the abortion debate.
There are good solid (and some not so solid) arguments on both sides of this fence. Reality is that eventually the law will get passed. Just like the seat belt law, our current DUI laws, etc. Why you ask? Because some group Like MADD or GLADD or (fill in your favorite acronym here) will lobby and moan and groan and show pictures of horrific car accidents and whatever else they have to do and then go “See what we did!!!” It’s not just our government putting their nose in folks.
There was definitely a need for a private organization to make the public aware of drunk driving problems. Government bureaucrats did nothing for years except compile statistics on accidents. When did they take the lead to make the public aware? It doesn’t happen at the state level or federal level. MADD or any other entity that promotes public safety and awareness to get laws changed are a good thing. Perhaps there should be one called MATWD.
Agent Rooker, Happy Tuesday! Stop your all day posting and get to work!
This is another reason why the GOP will lose the White House in 2016. Any party that has Perry has a leading presidential contender after vetoing this bill is laughable. However, you do have a college dropout as one of your 1st tier political candidates (Scott Walker). Any thoughts to this Agent?
Have you added any additional connections to your vast LinkedIn network (2 connections)? You can do better Agent Rooker!
He got this one right, if you can’t operate a cell phone and drive, you shouldn’t be driving. How can you do anything else even think while driving?? This is an unenforceable law anyways. Leave legislating thought to the libs.
Just another example of why Texas leads the league in mouth breathin’, booger eatin’, and knuckle draggin’. God Bless ‘murrica!
I’m not sure I agree with Perry for vetoing text messaging while driving. As an agent, I have seen numerous accidents caused by talking on cell phones and text messaging while driving. It is a major distraction and drivers should be ticketed with a heavy fine for doing it. It is a public safety issue and cannot be ignored. Cell phones are definitely an addiction in this country.
I never would have thought that you would be a proponent of Big Govt., Agent.
Welcome to the club.
I think debating this type of legislation has value in raising public awareness in forums like this one but it will be difficult to solely legislate our way out of this issue. I just read that 72% of teens text daily – many text more 4000 times a month. New college students no longer have email addresses! They use texting and Facebook – even with their professors. This text and drive issue is in its infancy and its not going away.
I decided to do something about distracted driving after my three year old daughter was nearly run down right in front of me by a texting driver. Instead of a shackle that locks down phones and alienates the user (especially teens) I built a tool called OTTER that is a simple GPS based, texting auto reply app for smartphones. It also silences call ringtones while driving unless you have a bluetooth enabled. I think if we can empower the individual then change will come to our highways now and not just our laws.
Erik Wood, owner
OTTER LLC
OTTER app
I refrain from texting and driving as much as possible and never do it when other cars are on the road. Due to the area that I live in, I travel farm roads a lot and oftentimes I’m the only one for miles in any direction.
With this being said, I am glad that I have the FREEDOM to choose whether to do this or not. This is not an issue that the government has any business sticking their nose in. I feel the same about the erroneous seat belt laws, while I always wear my seat belt as a personal preference, I believe I should have the FREEDOM to choose.
Call it what you will, I learned a lot about freedom in the Persian Gulf and I believe that we need MORE FREEDOM and LESS government intervention.
As far as texting being the cause for accidents, well, ok, but so is/are:
Applying make-up while driving which is currently legal…
SLEEPING while driving which is currently legal…
Shaving while driving which is currently legal…
Messing with your stereo while driving which is currently legal…
Disciplining your children and being completely turned around from the steering wheel while “driving” which is currently legal…
Not paying attention while driving which is currently legal…
You focus on cell phones, I focus on more important things…
People that are addicted to their Blackberry, iphone, ipod cannot even go to the bathroom without them. They are completely addicted to them and cannot wait to download a new app. They live in their own world and should not be on them when they are behind the wheel of a 4,000 pound vehicle going 70+ down the interstate. This is a public safety issue folks.
Our 17 yr old daughter was driving on one of those country roads & texting – no one else around – just like you are talking about. She’s dead because of that choice. Fact is, our brain does not allow us to multitask as we think it does. Texting while driving does not just kill those choosing to text while driving – it also kills innocent people that become victims of those drivers. And not everyone texts when no one else is around. It is a sad situation our world is in when we value a text over a life.
You really put the dumb in freedom, Brian. I actually live in a farming community, and the number of auto accidents are insane in this area, and a great deal of them are caused by cellphone use. You think you have the right to be careless and risk other people’s lives? I don’t care about your false sense of “freedom” or how you think you’re texting safely while driving (which is the stupidest thing I’ve ever read). I care about my life and not having to worry about people like you on the road using your cellphone and crashing into my vehicle. And what’s soooo important in you life that you can’t wait until your done operating a vehicle to text? I’d love to know what you’re texting about… I’m sure the conversations are very poignant and educated.
By the way, this is not the government trying to “control you,” either. This is a state law that Perry vetoed. It’s people like you who have really pulled this county down. You claim you are focusing on more important things? I think the only thing you focus on is yourself and your needs because you are selfish, ignorant and have no concept that there are other people who live in this world. Other people whose lives are at risk because your texting your boyfriend about how you hate wearing seat belts.
“Not paying attention while driving which is currently legal…” Distracted driving is legal? How can driver’s get tickets for doing something that’s legal?
“SLEEPING while driving which is currently legal…” Oh really? I mean, REALLY?!?! Come on.
I refuse to comment on the rest of your post due to those statements.
We already have laws against reckless driving, and we already have avenues for civil recourse against those who cause us damage through their negligence while driving. These apply to ALL activities that can distract a driver, including but not limited to electronic activities.
Those simple facts make any additional laws (such as the texting bill) moot.
Bill, over 30 states have passed bills banning text messaging while driving. Drivers face heavy fines when they are caught. This is one of the most dangerous activities a driver can do while behind the wheel. It is a public safety issue. We also need a big emphasis in Driver’s Education Courses with teens and Defensive Driving classes about the dangers of texting while driving. People just aren’t getting it on how dangerous this is. They are slaves to the cell and have to have it in their hand at all times.
Dangerous activities yes but not the most dangerous.It may be in the top 25 Drunk driving is #1 Having sex #2 Going to sleep #3 and drop dead while driving falls somewhere in top 25.
There are distracted driving laws practically everywhere so why not enforce them. Yes, texting while driving is truly stupid and dangerous just like making waffles on the dashboard but we don’t need a seperate law for that.
we don’t need to give law enforcement another reason to pull us over, seize our phone for evidence, or drive up the cost of phone service to cover cost of record request by law enforcement. They can’t convict without evidence.. You word vs their word unless hard evidence. Perry held to his Republican principals of less government and less government intrusion. Want to curb texting – talking while driving. You cause an accident while texting, mandatory 5 years upon conviction. You cause a death wile texting-talking mandatory 20 years upon conviction.
Oh Jim Bob, I know how badly you want to blame the government for everything, but it’s a state law, not a government mandated law that Perry vetoed. And as for “hard evidence,” there’s this thing called cellphone records (you seem to have heard about them), and these cellphone records can pinpoint the exact time (and often location) of when something is done on a cellphone. Also, I’m not really sure how you’ve come to the conclusion that the cost of phone service would be driven up do to law enforcement pulling up a phone’s records. The phone company does all of this using these things called computers. Please take a second to think before you type next time. Actually, don’t even bother.
“Yes, texting while driving is truly stupid and dangerous just like making waffles on the dashboard…”
You can have my dashboard waffle iron when you pry it from my dead, batter encrusted fingers…
Just one more thing to show what an idiot Rick Perry really is! Additional education? Are you kidding me?
Do we need to say anymore about how out of touch Governor Perry is? Who keeps voting this fool in office?
I wouldn’t go so far as to say Perry is an idiot. Perhaps he or his staff didn’t give this bill the attention it deserved. Common Sense, which is in short supply with our politicians would say that Text Messaging while driving is a dangerous habit which often leads to accidents, many of them serious. I am having to report a claim on one of my insureds today who was rear ended by a texter not paying attention. The lady did substantial damage to my insured and gave him a whiplash.
problem is enfocing the texting… first of all they would have to have a supeona to get my phone and by the time that is done, i could have erased all messages.. secondly, what if i was typing a phone number to call and you claim i was texting? so, then if the regular person is liable to such a law, can we get the cops? how many of them do the same? how many of them type on a computer while in the car? that would be like texting!! this is just going to get crazy and the lawmakers are trying to make a name for themselves and lawyers just want money from all the lawsuits…
Wud, It is not that hard to see someone in a car texting while driving. I pulled up next to one the other day and he was texting furiously while driving. Regarding the cops, when you see them typing on a computer in their car, they are sitting behind the vehicle they stopped for a moving violation pulling up info to see if the person has a warrant out or checking insurance status. I don’t believe they do it while driving.
you are probably right in most cases… but with our technology today, why do we even carry id cards, reg cards and insurance cards? computers can verify everything we have and validate current or not. technically they do anyways when they run your license numbers or plate numbers. as far as texting, granted i think we can see that more fingers manuever and length of time to find things… i know if i dial fm my phone, i can easily say call whomever or speeddial…
“…if you can’t operate a cell phone and drive, you shouldn’t be driving.” That’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. You’re operating a car to go somewhere. Not communicate. If you can’t drive and operate a cell phone at the same time, PUT DOWN THE CELL PHONE. Perry is a moron. How is the physical act of driving recklessly due to texting significantly different than driving recklessly due to being under the influence of alcohol? True, enforcement is not as easy as, say, enforcing speeding. This still needs to be made illegal. It will take a few years of education and enforcement (and reviewing phone records in a lawsuit or two).
You are right Comrade. This is a no brainer as a Public Safety issue. The cell addicts will say they have it under control and can handle it. That is the same thing drug addicts say. Why do we have to have tragic accidents before people wake up and see how dangerous this habit is? Cells in cars should be used in emergencies to call for help if needed, not to tweet or check the facebook every 30 seconds.
Careless Driving is already a crime. If you have an accident as a result of texting, you’ll get a careless driving citation. If an officer sees you texting and driving unsafely as a result, you’ll get a careless driving citation.
Not sure why there is a need for another law. Enforce the laws you have.
We need wide coverage in newspapers, TV, Radio, Internet that text messagers will be fined heavily if caught texting while driving. If a driver has an accident and cell use distracted them, they should be cited as well.
Hillsborough, I think the point is to identify careless driving before an accident occurs. Agree we need to enforce the laws that we have but it doesn’t hurt for law enforcement to have one extra arrow in their quiver to identify & enforce bad driving behavior. What’s the annual highway death toll now – over 40k? I suspect the people of TX wanted this law but Perry has to show he’s a true conservative republican. Wonder why he didn’t use the same argument of “government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults” on the abortion debate.
There are good solid (and some not so solid) arguments on both sides of this fence. Reality is that eventually the law will get passed. Just like the seat belt law, our current DUI laws, etc. Why you ask? Because some group Like MADD or GLADD or (fill in your favorite acronym here) will lobby and moan and groan and show pictures of horrific car accidents and whatever else they have to do and then go “See what we did!!!” It’s not just our government putting their nose in folks.
There was definitely a need for a private organization to make the public aware of drunk driving problems. Government bureaucrats did nothing for years except compile statistics on accidents. When did they take the lead to make the public aware? It doesn’t happen at the state level or federal level. MADD or any other entity that promotes public safety and awareness to get laws changed are a good thing. Perhaps there should be one called MATWD.
u guys r lame
Glad you could join the conversation on your cell phone. Were you driving when you sent this? Did you make it home without running over someone?
Agent Rooker, Happy Tuesday! Stop your all day posting and get to work!
This is another reason why the GOP will lose the White House in 2016. Any party that has Perry has a leading presidential contender after vetoing this bill is laughable. However, you do have a college dropout as one of your 1st tier political candidates (Scott Walker). Any thoughts to this Agent?
Have you added any additional connections to your vast LinkedIn network (2 connections)? You can do better Agent Rooker!
C’mon man!
hahahahahahahahahahaha
The Governor’s office released the following veto message:
“OMG u can still txt in TX LOL!”
Why does IJ have comments that are “Hidden due to low comment rating”. I want to see those idiot comments without having to click on them!!!!!