In the US, it is illegal to drive while texting on your cell phone in some states. A girl I worked with in New York in the summer was from Florida, and she was so taken aback when the police pulled her over when she was driving and fined her $120. The day after she got the ticket I remember her saying to me, "In Florida, everyone texts and drives, it's not a big deal. This is ridiculous!". Recently, there has been much talk on whether or not to make it illegal for ALL states.
In Britain, it is a serious offense if you text while driving. You can get points on your license and if you receive enough of these you can lose your license. Two recent articles in the New York Times were brought to my attention this morning; my mom, who frequently checks the NY Times forwarded these links to me after she ironically crashed her car into a lamp post (oops) because she was replying to a text I had sent her.
Here are the links:
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These articles sparked a few questions in my head, like what if the texting while driving ban wasn't in place in Britain, like it used to be? And how many people have been saved by the law? I am sure many people have a lot of questions and comments about this law, especially in the United States where it is legal some places and illegal in others. I fully believe in the relevance and importance of this law but I would love to hear others' opinions on it. Do you think it's pointless or too strict, or do you support the states and governments who enforce it?
For people who want to be safe drivers but are still addicted to their cell phones, there is a solution; wireless headsets. These are cheap and they are also 100% legal in the UK. Many would argue that even these distract drivers and are just as bad as cell phones, but I disagree, because when you have a wireless earpiece you can concentrate on the road without looking down at your phone.
In Britain, texting while driving can get you put in jail. Here is a video explaining the consequences.
Hopefully this law will soon be enforced everywhere, because although texting while driving doesn't seem like a big deal when you're doing it, it can ruin lives including your own. Wait 'til you are out of your car, it will be worth it!
I think texting while driving should be illegal in all states; there is no way that could possible be safe. Similar to your point, I agree that a wireless headset is not distracting, or at least no more distracting than those talking around you in the car.
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