Chatter

By Perkle

January 2, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this

All states should follow this example. There is no reason what so ever to be texting or talking on a phone for that matter, while you are driving. Pull over or wait until you get to your destination. Anyone out driving should focus on just that. But while we’re at it - also ban reading books, eating a bowl of cereal or anything else you can’t hold with one hand, applying makeup or any thing else that will distract you from driving.

By loving life

January 2, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this

Yes, Georgia should have a similar law. I do not want someone driving toward me or next to me whose attention and hands are so diverted. Someone came at me on the wrong side of the road a few weeks ago and they corrected in time, thankfully, but I had to wonder what they were doing to allow themselves to drift over like that.

There should be stricter cell phone laws as well. I know a woman who was hurt pretty badly in a car accident, and she was dialing her cell phone at the time and ran into someone. She said the irony was, she always thought the problem was the “other guy.” She did not think she would ever be at fault in an accident like that. She is grateful that the other person was not hurt, but she had a long recovery, lost a lot of work, and now has a messed up foot that will never be the same.

By TG

January 2, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this

Amen, Perkle. I don’t know why the focus is only with talking on a hand held cell or texting when there are so many other distractions that can and have caused accidents while driving. And those distractions have been around a lot longer than the existence of cell phones.

By ATLien

January 2, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this

Of course! And, they should ban cell phone use unless bluetooth is being used. People of this state can’t drive as it is, use of cell phones while driving has made it even worse!

By Bob

January 2, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this

Reckless driving is illegal.

Enforce this law, do not create more laws that will go unenforced.

If safety is a major concern, how about making the road test CHALLENGING and REALISTIC. This get a lot of people off the road.

By Rod

January 2, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

A $20 fine? Are you serious? It should be $200. Don’t like it, don’t text.

Texting and cell-phone usage should both be illegal in Georgia. Whenever some idiot in a car does something stupid - I get up beside them and see them on the phone.

If you need to make a phone call - or text - PULL OVER!!!

By cmc

January 2, 2009 10:50 AM | Link to this

Texting while driving should be banned nation-wide, with heavy fines. Hands-free cellphone use is better than one-handed driving, but few can dial hands-free. The highways are full of people who can barely drive with both hands!

But how to enforce such statutes? I see single-driver cars in HOV lanes daily, and they’re not ticketed.

Maybe car manufacturers can install jammers that make it impossible to use a phone for calling or texting unless the ignition is off. :-)

By swolf4810

January 2, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

Not only should texting while driving be banned…so should talking on a cell phone while driving!

By Linda

January 2, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

If texting while driving is not safe for teens it is not safe at any age. Texting should be out lawed while driving = period. It is a no brainer.

By thatsme

January 2, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

Texting and cell phone should be banned, but not only by teenagers, but adults as well. Last week, an adult woman who apparently was so engrossed in her conversation that she didn’t notice that the other 3 lanes of cars had come to a stop at the red light that she just ran. Thankfully as I started to go, I could see that she wasn’t going to stop, and I hit the brakes.

By Taylor

January 2, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this

I have two problems with the way GA handles these types of laws:

1) Why target just teenagers? There are just as many unfit, unsound, and crazy adult drivers than there are teenage drivers. Laws affecting all Georgia drivers would make more sense.

2) Why waste our valuable time and create laws that cannot be enforced? Texting while driving is one of those things that should be stopped by someone’s common sense. If that common sense doesn’t exist, well there’s just no hope. Also, we students are experts on hiding our phones while texting. Just ask any teacher.

Let’s not pick on teenagers alone and let’s not waste our time. It’s that simple … but GA lawmakers may lack that very common sense that I was just referencing.

By Dixie

January 2, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

Yes - There is NOTHING that MUST be said while driving.( PERIOD )

I agree with Rod $200 fine 1st offense seems more appropriate.

By chuck

January 2, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this

The reason teens are targeted with driving law changes is that they cause more accidents. The first 5 years of driving should be about driving without distractions. I have no problem with banning texting while driving for anyone under 21.

A ban on cell phone use by adults is a stupid overreaction to a few cases. I’ve been driving for 35 years and I’ve had 1 accident (when I was a teen). I believe I should be able to make the decision about what I can and can’t do while driving. We put way too many restrictions on life as it is.

A better approach is to increase fines and other penalties (community service) when distracted drivers cause ACCIDENTS. That is what we are trying to prevent. In other words, don’t punish me because OTHER PEOPLE can’t drive and chew gum at the same time.

By david

January 2, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this

• Texting is unsafe for any driver, at any age. Why limit it to just “teens,” which counts for only four years in a vast age range of drivers? I catch adults doing this on the commute in to work as much as anyone (including, sadly, me).
• Cell-phone use shouldn’t necessarily be banned, but a great compromise would be required use of earpieces while driving. It really does make a difference.

By Jeff

January 2, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this

How much discussion is really needed here? Texting while driving is dangerous at any age. I have personally been run off onto the shoulder of I-285 recently by a young lady with both thumbs working that keyboard coming across two lanes of traffic. One thing is certain, my children, who were in the car at the time, know now how dangerous it is to text while driving. The incident scared them half to death. If adults (and driving teens) had half the common sense that my children have there would be no discussion on this issue because it wouldn’t be an issue at all.

By woogidy

January 2, 2009 3:22 PM | Link to this

What’s next then? Ban eating? Dirnking a cup of coffee? Changing a CD? Handing a baby a bottle? Driving with a dog in your lap? Giving the finger? We don’t need any more driving laws until they make everyone retake the drivers test on renewal. Renewed every 3 years. You fail, you wait a day, come back and try again. You fail twice. You are done. Simple as that. Remind them of all of the laws. Blinkers are never used anymore.

By Charlie

January 2, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this

Please ban the following while driving: Texting, talking on the phone (headset or no headset), putting on make-up, reading the newspaper, eating and anything else that distracts a driver for more than 1-2 seconds. The reason it is called “driving” is because that is what you’re supposed to be doing behind the wheel, not all these other things which cause distractions and therefore accidents and maybe even your own DEATH!

By bob

January 2, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this

Do we really need more laws. How about enforcing the ones we have. Police who see someone driving erratically should pull them over & ticket them for reckless driving, whether they are texting, talking on a cell phone, applying mascara, etc. Absolutely anything you do while driving, other than concentrate on driving, detracts from your abiliity to control that vehicle. Even something as innocuous as listening to the radio. Some people are able to multi-task better than others. The law is already on the books. How about we enforce them.

By Lori

January 2, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this

I don’t think texting while driving is a good idea at all, but I agree with Charlie - where do you draw the line. What about smoking while driving. That takes your attention off the road, then the drivers toss the cigarettes on the road after.

By mel

January 2, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this

Of course I would support that effort. It should make our roads a little safer. Now if we could make it illegal to eat, drink, read, and put on make up while driving. That would make us totally accident free right?

By john

January 2, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this

The state of Ga already has a law against driving while distracted. Why does the feel the need to create more laws for the same thing, rather than enforce the current laws. They make 20 laws that cover the same thing. It’s absolutely ridiculous. People that text, talk on a cell, eat, read etc; are absolute idiots! It’s fine for them to do it until some one doing the same thing hits them, then they get p**. Come’on people. I know it may be too much to ask but use common sense!