The cell addicts cannot justify their behavior any more than a drinking driver. They cannot handle it and it is about the most distractive activity one can do when behind the wheel.
IIAT are actively behind this bill and it should pass this time.
I sure hope it does. Besides the fatality statistics, I think this one makes the most logical sense for a statewide ban: “…40 Texas cities…have a variety of bans on cellphone usage.” I’m opining that one consistent law throughout the state would benefit Texans who wouldn’t have to know how the cell laws change when crossing city borders.
Hypothetically: Oh, I’m in Austin – I can text when I’m stopped. Oh, now I’m in Johnson City and I can’t text at all. Just entered Fredericksburg – now I can text while moving!
State-wide consistency in the texting while driving laws seems the wise route to go
Because of my own experiences and what I witness daily, I’ve become very paranoid about driving anywhere these days, especially county roads and across bridges, where there is no escape when a driver crosses the line. I was hit head on driving my motorcycle by a distracted driver and just the other day, I was driving my elderly mother from the hospital when a local redneck in a giant 4×4 crossed the line and came all the way into our lane straight at us before correcting himself as I was headed for the ditch. Everywhere I go, I’m ready to hit the ditch. When I see these cellphone addicts going through our small town with a 30 mph speed limit, they’re speeding at 40 mph or above and not merging into the left lane until they run out of road and just seem clueless that anyone else is on the street.
Bill, I agree with you, but Rednecks are not the only ones texting and driving. Plenty of young mothers, young fathers, singles on both sides, middle aged. They have all contracted the cell addict disease and it is very dangerous behavior.
Someone please tell me how making speeding, going through a red light or stop sign, drinking and driving, murder, burglary, etc. illegal has prevented those thing from happening. Making new laws only creates more criminals, makes more work for police, fills our courts and jails/prisons, and leads to bigger government.
Try coming up with solutions that actually change behavior and you have a chance.
Ron, you are on the wrong end of the stick on this issue. When people caught texting while driving have some hefty fines and possible loss of license staring them in the face, they may be more reluctant to doing the deed. When they have an accident texting while driving, they will be prosecuted. Bruce Jenner is now facing prosecution for causing an accident where a woman was killed in the other vehicle. There is no justification for this activity.
I am not justifying texting and driving. All I am saying is that making something illegal does not stop the behvior. Get it?
Based on your post, please answer these questions:
1. Don’t people who speed excessively (over 100mph), drive drunk, ans elude police on high speed chases already face some hefty fines and possible loss of license in TX?
2. Is the penalty for texting and driving going to be more severe than murder, human trafficking, rape, or drinking and driving?
What I am reading in your post is that you believe that making it a law penalizing texting while driving is not needed since it doesn’t prevent people from breaking the law like drunk driving, burglary, speeding etc. Apparently, you don’t think texting while driving is a serious problem and you don’t want the courts hearing cases since it might clog them up. By all means, let’s not have a traffic judge impose penalties and possible loss of license on these cell addicts.
I do agree with you that texting and driving is a serious problem. Where we disagree is how it should be addressed.
What I am reading in your posts is that you believe government is the solution. How Conservative of you.
You are correct that I do not want to clog the courts with more law breakers because that will lead to more judges, clerks, security, buildings, police etc. You know, bigger government.
February 9, 2015 at 2:31 pm
Agent says:
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Ron, the idiocy of your posts is unparalleled. Ok smart man, how would you handle it? Do you have Verizon or Google disable all phones while in a vehicle? How would people call 911 if there was an emergency or they were being car jacked? If there are no penalties for using a phone in a vehicle, what repercussions are there? Will a cell addict suddenly stop using their cell if there is a public service announcement on TV? Do any of these addicts pay any attention to anything except for their cell? Please give us your solutions. Inquiring minds want to know.
I never said that I have a solution. I am just pointing out:
1. Yours will not stop most people from texting and driving.
2. Your hypocrisy calling for the government to come up with a solution.
Cell phone compamies can shut off texts and still allow phone calls. In addition, they can probably shut down all communications with the exception of 911.
You asked, “If there are no penalties for using a phone in a vehicle, what repercussions are there?” How about not wanting to get into an accident. If a driver is not concerned about causingf an accident and potentially dying, why would the possibility of a ticket discourage them?
Do you think possible loss of license will slow them down or getting thrown in jail after they had an at fault accident without a license and texting while driving is a deterrent? If it isn’t, they should not be allowed to drive at all? They can sit at home in Mom’s basement and play on the internet all day.
I am actually on board with a lot of things you say. You just choose to ignore those things.
February 10, 2015 at 11:26 am
Agent says:
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Ron, if you can limit your comment to agreeing with me on most things, then stop insulting me and telling me I am for more government and arrogantly saying – How Conservative of you! That is not the way to win friends and influence people. Is that just the NY way to talk to people? I have met a lot of people from NY in my lifetime and they are almost all abrasive know it alls. Please explain why this is.
February 10, 2015 at 11:46 am
Ron says:
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Agent,
If I limit my comments to just agreeing with you, how will you learn. I try to challenge you to help you grow and understand that you are not always correct.
If you advocate for more government, as a Conservative, you are a hypocrite and I will call you out on that. Unlike you, I am actually for less government. If you can find a position where I have advocated for more government, please quote me.
I am not trying to make friends, just hold you accountable for some of the irrational statements you make.
Based on your posts, I find your statement, “I have met a lot of people from NY in my lifetime and they are almost all abrasive know it alls.” very hypocritical. When have you ever admitted to being wrong?
February 10, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Agent says:
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Ron, I hate to have to educate you all the time on every subject on this forum. You don’t seem to learn from coverage on the news. I guess you like the lying Brian Williams since he keeps misremembering important events and had to take a leave of absence from NBC and I hope he is gone for good.
Here is a great learning experience: This country is a country of laws, not of men. If you want to break the law, there are consequences to your actions. Your President seems to think he can choose which laws to follow, which he can enforce and if need be, he can write his own laws/memorandas/executive actions.
I am sorry to hear about your wife’s condition and hope she gets better very soon. She could have also been injured by someone speeding, driving recklessly or drunk. Laws do not stop those things from happening, why would we expect a law against texting and driving to stop people from engaging in that activity?
I hope you understand that I am not condoning texting and driving. In my opinion, creating more laws does not change people’s behaviors, only creates bigger government and more oversight of our lives.
Ron, I understood you.
He was also speeding. He stated that this was his second such accident. Some people just don’t learn. Personally think a steep fine for first offense and loss of driving privilege after that. Maybe some sort of signal blocker so repeat offenders can not get reception in their car. there has got to be a way to get through to peoples heads what they are dong is putting themselves as well as others at risk. Late last year, a well liked and successful local business man was killed in a single car accident. Rolled over cause he was texting and not paying attention to the curve in the road. A road he drove every day to and from work.
Take drunk driving as an example. How many laws have been passed, how many times has the government increased the penalties including loss of license and requiring interlock devices? Has that stop people from drinking and driving?
I just don’t trust the governemnt to protect us from ourselves or each other.
We need to, as a free society, accept that bad things will happen and the government is incapable of protecting us completely.
Ive read the comments & I see both sides. Personally my father was killed 1 mile from his home by someone who looked down at his cell phone. No a law will not bring back my dad, but it may save yours. I would love for people to just leave it alone in the car, but they wont until they loss a loved one. Its very sad how we just think our life is the only one that matters.My dad was a very good man, who died for no good reason.
FFA, I am afraid the texting/cell phone usage is pretty much out of control in today’s society. Yesterday, I was pulling out of my parking lot and had to wait for a long line of cars to pass. I started counting the number of people in their cars texting or talking. I counted 33 out of 50 using them while driving. They think they can multi task, but they have no clue on what is going on around them.
So Ron, you are coming out in favor of not having any public safety laws that penalize bad behavior, right? Let’s just let everything go and attend more and more funerals of family and friends. By all means, let’s not have local courts mete out punishment for offenders since it doesn’t do any good. How does more and more accidents/claims due to distracted driving from cells fit into your algorithms when setting auto rates?
“We need to, as a free society, accept that bad things will happen”
Don’t I know that…. Stuff flying around me is unbelievable the past month not to mention the past three years. Its a wonder how I keep my sanity. Kardasians be damned…
Put my life on TV. My life is what Soap Operas are based on.
FFA, one of the hardest things to understand is why bad things happen to good people. Many people rail at God for allowing bad things to happen to them. God didn’t promise that bad things wouldn’t happen, but he would give us strength to get through them if we trusted him.
A little side note. Did you see that ditzy blonde from the State Dept saying that the problems presented by ISIS were economic and if they had jobs, they wouldn’t be inclined to attack us? I have news for her, their job is to kill infidels and they are doing quite well at it. As far as I know, the leaders of ISIS have never requested the US to give them jobs or solve any economic issue they have.
I have a great idea. First offense for driving and yapping, they take away the phone, you don’t get it back. Second offense, they stick it up your ass. Third offense they give your number to a tele-marketing firm and your ass rings completely off, as I would laugh mine off. If you get caught drinking and driving, they take your beer, why not your precious phone? Just a thought.
Farmer, have you heard of burner phones? They are a dime a dozen and many use them, discard them, get some more. You almost had a good comment, but not quite.
The cell addicts cannot justify their behavior any more than a drinking driver. They cannot handle it and it is about the most distractive activity one can do when behind the wheel.
IIAT are actively behind this bill and it should pass this time.
I sure hope it does. Besides the fatality statistics, I think this one makes the most logical sense for a statewide ban: “…40 Texas cities…have a variety of bans on cellphone usage.” I’m opining that one consistent law throughout the state would benefit Texans who wouldn’t have to know how the cell laws change when crossing city borders.
Hypothetically: Oh, I’m in Austin – I can text when I’m stopped. Oh, now I’m in Johnson City and I can’t text at all. Just entered Fredericksburg – now I can text while moving!
State-wide consistency in the texting while driving laws seems the wise route to go
Holy crap! Is there a star in the East? Agent, Rosenblatt and myself are in lockstep agreement on something. Quick, someone mark the calendar!
Because of my own experiences and what I witness daily, I’ve become very paranoid about driving anywhere these days, especially county roads and across bridges, where there is no escape when a driver crosses the line. I was hit head on driving my motorcycle by a distracted driver and just the other day, I was driving my elderly mother from the hospital when a local redneck in a giant 4×4 crossed the line and came all the way into our lane straight at us before correcting himself as I was headed for the ditch. Everywhere I go, I’m ready to hit the ditch. When I see these cellphone addicts going through our small town with a 30 mph speed limit, they’re speeding at 40 mph or above and not merging into the left lane until they run out of road and just seem clueless that anyone else is on the street.
Bill, I agree with you, but Rednecks are not the only ones texting and driving. Plenty of young mothers, young fathers, singles on both sides, middle aged. They have all contracted the cell addict disease and it is very dangerous behavior.
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Ron, you are on the wrong end of the stick on this issue. When people caught texting while driving have some hefty fines and possible loss of license staring them in the face, they may be more reluctant to doing the deed. When they have an accident texting while driving, they will be prosecuted. Bruce Jenner is now facing prosecution for causing an accident where a woman was killed in the other vehicle. There is no justification for this activity.
Agent,
Did you even read my post?
I am not justifying texting and driving. All I am saying is that making something illegal does not stop the behvior. Get it?
Based on your post, please answer these questions:
1. Don’t people who speed excessively (over 100mph), drive drunk, ans elude police on high speed chases already face some hefty fines and possible loss of license in TX?
2. Is the penalty for texting and driving going to be more severe than murder, human trafficking, rape, or drinking and driving?
What I am reading in your post is that you believe that making it a law penalizing texting while driving is not needed since it doesn’t prevent people from breaking the law like drunk driving, burglary, speeding etc. Apparently, you don’t think texting while driving is a serious problem and you don’t want the courts hearing cases since it might clog them up. By all means, let’s not have a traffic judge impose penalties and possible loss of license on these cell addicts.
Agent,
I do agree with you that texting and driving is a serious problem. Where we disagree is how it should be addressed.
What I am reading in your posts is that you believe government is the solution. How Conservative of you.
You are correct that I do not want to clog the courts with more law breakers because that will lead to more judges, clerks, security, buildings, police etc. You know, bigger government.
Ron, the idiocy of your posts is unparalleled. Ok smart man, how would you handle it? Do you have Verizon or Google disable all phones while in a vehicle? How would people call 911 if there was an emergency or they were being car jacked? If there are no penalties for using a phone in a vehicle, what repercussions are there? Will a cell addict suddenly stop using their cell if there is a public service announcement on TV? Do any of these addicts pay any attention to anything except for their cell? Please give us your solutions. Inquiring minds want to know.
Agent,
I never said that I have a solution. I am just pointing out:
1. Yours will not stop most people from texting and driving.
2. Your hypocrisy calling for the government to come up with a solution.
Cell phone compamies can shut off texts and still allow phone calls. In addition, they can probably shut down all communications with the exception of 911.
You asked, “If there are no penalties for using a phone in a vehicle, what repercussions are there?” How about not wanting to get into an accident. If a driver is not concerned about causingf an accident and potentially dying, why would the possibility of a ticket discourage them?
Do you think possible loss of license will slow them down or getting thrown in jail after they had an at fault accident without a license and texting while driving is a deterrent? If it isn’t, they should not be allowed to drive at all? They can sit at home in Mom’s basement and play on the internet all day.
I would be on board with that.
I am glad you are on board with something I say.
Agent,
I am actually on board with a lot of things you say. You just choose to ignore those things.
Ron, if you can limit your comment to agreeing with me on most things, then stop insulting me and telling me I am for more government and arrogantly saying – How Conservative of you! That is not the way to win friends and influence people. Is that just the NY way to talk to people? I have met a lot of people from NY in my lifetime and they are almost all abrasive know it alls. Please explain why this is.
Agent,
If I limit my comments to just agreeing with you, how will you learn. I try to challenge you to help you grow and understand that you are not always correct.
If you advocate for more government, as a Conservative, you are a hypocrite and I will call you out on that. Unlike you, I am actually for less government. If you can find a position where I have advocated for more government, please quote me.
I am not trying to make friends, just hold you accountable for some of the irrational statements you make.
Based on your posts, I find your statement, “I have met a lot of people from NY in my lifetime and they are almost all abrasive know it alls.” very hypocritical. When have you ever admitted to being wrong?
Ron, I hate to have to educate you all the time on every subject on this forum. You don’t seem to learn from coverage on the news. I guess you like the lying Brian Williams since he keeps misremembering important events and had to take a leave of absence from NBC and I hope he is gone for good.
Here is a great learning experience: This country is a country of laws, not of men. If you want to break the law, there are consequences to your actions. Your President seems to think he can choose which laws to follow, which he can enforce and if need be, he can write his own laws/memorandas/executive actions.
What are you talking about?
I hope you are not about to get behind the wheel.
Texting and driving is what has had my wife down for the count for over a year. Med bills have piled up and up and up.
FFA,
I am sorry to hear about your wife’s condition and hope she gets better very soon. She could have also been injured by someone speeding, driving recklessly or drunk. Laws do not stop those things from happening, why would we expect a law against texting and driving to stop people from engaging in that activity?
I hope you understand that I am not condoning texting and driving. In my opinion, creating more laws does not change people’s behaviors, only creates bigger government and more oversight of our lives.
Ron, I understood you.
He was also speeding. He stated that this was his second such accident. Some people just don’t learn. Personally think a steep fine for first offense and loss of driving privilege after that. Maybe some sort of signal blocker so repeat offenders can not get reception in their car. there has got to be a way to get through to peoples heads what they are dong is putting themselves as well as others at risk. Late last year, a well liked and successful local business man was killed in a single car accident. Rolled over cause he was texting and not paying attention to the curve in the road. A road he drove every day to and from work.
Its a sore subject for me personally…
FFA,
Take drunk driving as an example. How many laws have been passed, how many times has the government increased the penalties including loss of license and requiring interlock devices? Has that stop people from drinking and driving?
I just don’t trust the governemnt to protect us from ourselves or each other.
We need to, as a free society, accept that bad things will happen and the government is incapable of protecting us completely.
Ive read the comments & I see both sides. Personally my father was killed 1 mile from his home by someone who looked down at his cell phone. No a law will not bring back my dad, but it may save yours. I would love for people to just leave it alone in the car, but they wont until they loss a loved one. Its very sad how we just think our life is the only one that matters.My dad was a very good man, who died for no good reason.
FFA, I am afraid the texting/cell phone usage is pretty much out of control in today’s society. Yesterday, I was pulling out of my parking lot and had to wait for a long line of cars to pass. I started counting the number of people in their cars texting or talking. I counted 33 out of 50 using them while driving. They think they can multi task, but they have no clue on what is going on around them.
So Ron, you are coming out in favor of not having any public safety laws that penalize bad behavior, right? Let’s just let everything go and attend more and more funerals of family and friends. By all means, let’s not have local courts mete out punishment for offenders since it doesn’t do any good. How does more and more accidents/claims due to distracted driving from cells fit into your algorithms when setting auto rates?
“We need to, as a free society, accept that bad things will happen”
Don’t I know that…. Stuff flying around me is unbelievable the past month not to mention the past three years. Its a wonder how I keep my sanity. Kardasians be damned…
Put my life on TV. My life is what Soap Operas are based on.
FFA, one of the hardest things to understand is why bad things happen to good people. Many people rail at God for allowing bad things to happen to them. God didn’t promise that bad things wouldn’t happen, but he would give us strength to get through them if we trusted him.
A little side note. Did you see that ditzy blonde from the State Dept saying that the problems presented by ISIS were economic and if they had jobs, they wouldn’t be inclined to attack us? I have news for her, their job is to kill infidels and they are doing quite well at it. As far as I know, the leaders of ISIS have never requested the US to give them jobs or solve any economic issue they have.
I have a great idea. First offense for driving and yapping, they take away the phone, you don’t get it back. Second offense, they stick it up your ass. Third offense they give your number to a tele-marketing firm and your ass rings completely off, as I would laugh mine off. If you get caught drinking and driving, they take your beer, why not your precious phone? Just a thought.
Farmer, have you heard of burner phones? They are a dime a dozen and many use them, discard them, get some more. You almost had a good comment, but not quite.