Should texting while driving be banned?

[TNF]

No (I/O)

There's really no evidence to support the idea that these bans are particularly effective, and I personally don't see how texting while driving is anymore dangerous than applying makeup while driving or eating while driving, two things that, as far as I am aware, are not banned in any state. As far as I'm concerned, if you're not crashing into someone else, I don't really care if you're texting as you drive.

[Redalgo]

Yes (I/O)

It would be preferable to implement a broad-reaching ban on distracting activities whilst driving, with an understanding that automobiles are potentially deadly tools that demand a high level of respect for that during their operation. If it is important to send off a text message then pull over and stop the vehicle.

[bedstuy]

Yes.

I personally don't see how texting while driving is anymore dangerous than applying makeup while driving or eating while driving, two things that, as far as I am aware, are not banned in any state.

Eating is distinguishable just because you can eat without looking at your food.  That's the problem with texting, it's distracting and takes your eyes off the road.  Eating is a distraction, for sure.  But, the surest way to cause an accident is not looking at the road.

Putting on makeup is probably worse than eating, but it's just not all that common.  Texting while driving has killed thousands of people, putting on makeup while driving has killed a very small number I would bet.  And, there are reasons for that.  Texting has this addictive quality, it gives you access to your friends and an immediacy that makes it very attractive when you're bored.  People hear the siren call of their cell phone, which overrides their common sense.  Someone who would never put on makeup or read a book while driving will make the same mistake with their cell phone.

As far as I'm concerned, if you're not crashing into someone else, I don't really care if you're texting as you drive.

 
How does that make any sense?  People don't choose to crash their car, it's an accident.  Texting dramatically increases the risk of an accident.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Yes.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Yes (sane)

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Yes (Duh). Even if is hard to enforce, making the act illegal stigmatises what is basically a selfish act.

[BaconBacon96]

Yes. It's absurd to think otherwise.

[Cranberry]

Yes (sane)

[TDAS04]

Yes (sane)

[politicus]

Yes (sane)

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Yes (sane)

[they don't love you like i love you]

Yes. Just pull the f[inks] over. I do it all the time playing ingress.

[Simfan34]

Yes (prefer being alive)

[AggregateDemand]

No.

Is there any evidence to suggest that the rise of smart devices correlates strongly with the number of traffic accidents or traffic deaths?

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1103.pdf

Phones are the new scapegoat.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

No.

Is there any evidence to suggest that the rise of smart devices correlates strongly with the number of traffic accidents or traffic deaths?

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1103.pdf

Phones are the new scapegoat.

Oh my god, just stop.

[RI]

It's banned in Washington, and I still do it from time to time. Probably not the best idea, but there's minimal danger in a lot of Eastern Washington. It only really becomes a problem if you devote the majority of your focus to texting rather than driving or are in a heavy traffic area. I don't mind it as a "you get in an accident, so it's an additional charge" type deal rather than a "pull you over on sight" one.

[ElectionsGuy]

Yes

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Most people can hardly walk safely while texting, so they certainly shouldn't be driving while texting.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Obviously.

[traininthedistance]

Yes (sane)

[Franzl]

I can hardly believe there are people that seriously believe otherwise.

[DC Al Fine]

No (I/O)

There's really no evidence to support the idea that these bans are particularly effective, and I personally don't see how texting while driving is anymore dangerous than applying makeup while driving or eating while driving, two things that, as far as I am aware, are not banned in any state. As far as I'm concerned, if you're not crashing into someone else, I don't really care if you're texting as you drive.

This is a good argument for a distracted driving ban

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Of course. Unlike helmet laws, which only affect the rider, texting while driving poses a danger for other individuals.

[Goldwater]

Yes (sane)

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Yes (R), although I don't have a problem with texting when you're stopped at a red light, provided you stop as soon as it goes green.