Texting While Driving Law...

Texting while driving is illegal here in Australia. It is worse than talking on the phone while driving in my opinion! I find it odd that is is legal in some states in the USA and illegal in others. I thought it was supposed to be the United States? Why cant laws be the same throughout the whole country?

Where are you located? In California it's illegal, and rightfully so.

Where is this that you're referring to? National level debate for truckers? Something local? I know that in Dubuque, Iowa, for example they don't even allow people to be on the phone now. I'm kind of torn, between my libertarian nature, and what amounts to good, common sense and consideration of others... shrug.

Crazy that did not pass. Like people can't wait to get where they are going before texting. Can't they pull over if it's really important? Even if you are a good typer, as I am, it doesn't mean you can type on a phone while driving. I do not know anyone that can type on a cell phone without looking at it. Around here some cities can give you a ticket for being on the cell phone at all, so I think texting would be included in that. I'm not sure why they would say NO to the law but I'm sure this will be passed eventually. I can't imagine them letting it be legal forever.

What state or country did this law not pass? In Australia it is illegal to use mobile phones at all whilst driving. We cant rtext or make phone calls, not even when at a stop light. It is a dangerous pracrise and leads to inattention.

it is very dangerous. they say that it is like you are driving while intoxicated if you are driving while texting! here where i live (ontario, canada) there is a law against it while driving.

I think there is a bigger issue about making this an actual bill, because people fear that this will be used arbitrarily by law enforcement to ticket drivers. Most people that text while driving do not hold their phones up...let's be realistic, it is highly unlikely that a cop will be able to see you text while driving to pull you over solely for that. They could be profiling or pulling someone over just to jack with them and then just use the text ban as an excuse. I do occasionally text while driving, bad I know! Mostly though I will wait until I am sitting at light or something. And then who's to say the cop wouldn't try to take your cell phone and nose through it? I'm sure that rides the line on search and seizure. So basically while it is a good idea, I don't truly believe it's very enforceable.

Hi, Here in the UK, we have a fine and 3points on your licence(max 12) before your banned on the road - this is for just having the phone in your hand. However, many people ignore it, but alot use bluetooth handsfree.

Hi LilyoftheThorns, Over here driving while merely holding a mobile telephone is an offence and you can face a fine, three months jail and a six month driving ban. I am surprised that a law similar did not pass where you are.

Studies have proved that, as far as being able to handle normal occurrences in normal traffic, texting and using a cell phone while driving is comparable to driving drunk. It's obvious that in order to text, you must remove your eyes from the road and, at least partially, your grip on the steering wheel. There is no question that this activity endangers everyone on the road and is the direct cause in an increasing number of collisions. Why legislators decided to defeat this measure is anybody's guess, but I would say they are definitely NOT acting in the best interests of the people, therefore they should be voted out of office at the earliest opportunity. It should be publicized and the ones who voted against it named publicly and have it used against them in the next election. Use of cell phones while driving should be looked at and possibly banned but texting while driving DEFINITELY should be made illegal in every state.

ya, i guess texting while your driving isnt really a good thing and maybe should become a law, but on the other hand if youve had the phone for awhile and have texting you usually get used to the key strokes and the button configuration therefore memorizing the pattern and not needing to look at the phone when you text. for me? ive become pretty good at it. having a blackberry i need both hands, but i text so fast, that it doesnt take but a few seconds to send a message. all in all the law should be passed i guess tho.

Hi there LilyoftheThorns... It all depends with the person driving... You have only said the negatives of this one... What if the car owner/driver is in business transactions? He/She would really use his/her phone... What if there is an emergency? And What if he is being chased by those bad guys... Of course he or she would ask for help using his/her cellphone... It all really depends...

texting while driving is the most adventurous of them all. i see a lot f 4wheel drivers texting.... but there's no exciting than seeing someone in a motorbike texting... how i wish i was able to get some pictures of these acrobats...

It is very dangerous, I agree. I also have the same question

I think there are alot of people out there that still text whilst drive the sames as they still have their phone up to their ear while driving which i think alot of these people are the ones who always never get caught.The law is there for a reason and there are alot of lorry drivers aswell as other professional drivers that are always on the phone while driving.

Here is also not allowed. If the police will give me cash for reporting someone talking to his handy while driving, i would be rich.