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Author	Topic: [Poll: 2011.19]: Do anti-texting/mobile phone laws reduce your usage of using ...	Post a Reply Back to Topics

JT Moderator	Message Posted: May 2, 2011 1:08:34 AM Ignore JT Report Abuse Do anti-texting/mobile phone laws reduce your usage of using phones while driving? Yes, I don't use my phone while driving I have reduced how often I use my phone I still use my phone - but I hide it now N/A Other Post your thoughts about this poll below.

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Message Posted: May 2, 2011 1:08:34 AM

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Do anti-texting/mobile phone laws reduce your usage of using phones while driving?
Yes, I don't use my phone while driving
I have reduced how often I use my phone
I still use my phone - but I hide it now
N/A
Other

Post your thoughts about this poll below.

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sshorton Rookie Author South Carolina Posts:13 Points:1,000 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 8:30:29 PM Ignore sshorton Report Abuse i have already been using a bluetooth for about 3 years now and i don't text while driving...if i receive a text and need to reply, i either wait til a stop light/sign or i pull over or else i just call them back and talk on the bluetooth. Works for me!
Thegonagle Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:160 Points:115,260 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 8:15:43 PM Ignore Thegonagle Report Abuse My state (MN) has an anti-texting/email/data-while-driving law, but no hands-free law that would necessitate using an earpiece for calls, so it's quite difficult for them to enforce. The law is a step in the right direction which allows an additional moving violation to be added if there's an accident as a result, but it's just like us here to say "no harm, no fowl," and look the other way if nobody gets hurt. (After all, we [i]were[/i] the very last state to change our drunk driving threshold from .10 to .08.) Before the texting law went into effect, my own common sense never let me read long messages while moving (I'd wait 'til I was at a stoplight or something), nor reply with anything more than a "ok" or Y or N. Now with the law in effect, I don't reply at all. They could be "blowing up" my phone, but I still won't reply. If it seems urgent, I'll call them back instead. I admit that I will still glance at a text if I receive one, but I won't even try to read a long message while moving. Then again, I never did.
PumpkinDE Rookie Author Delaware Posts:1 Points:585 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 7:49:09 PM Ignore PumpkinDE Report Abuse Phone Law I now use a bluetooth which I think def allows me to be more alert. I have noticed that I do not use the phone as often.
unstablegurl1 Sophomore Author Tucson Posts:117 Points:33,730 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 6:00:48 PM Ignore unstablegurl1 Report Abuse I only text when i dont even have my car on the roads. As for calling I have a blue tooth that answers calls without even touching my phones. The only time that actually suck is when i dont want to talk to someone, but my headset answeres annyways.
Pizzaslut Champion Author Baltimore Posts:4,354 Points:749,015 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 5:25:57 PM Ignore Pizzaslut Report Abuse Yes they have reduced me using my phone. Now I watch movies instead.
dawnavon Rookie Author Orlando Posts:43 Points:146,550 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 4:52:11 PM Ignore dawnavon Report Abuse I don't text while driving. I have a hands free speakphone thing in my car, so I don't hold my phone at all when on the phone. To me, it's the same as talking to someone who is in the car with me, I don't get distracted and pay attention to the road still. I don't talk too often though when driving either. Also there is no law here yet against texting/talking on the phone. [Edited by: dawnavon at 5/7/2011 4:52:53 PM EST]
Rocksnobster Champion Author Albany Posts:12,911 Points:213,790 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 4:06:33 PM Ignore Rocksnobster Report Abuse I never use the phone much anyway. But I will put the car in auto pilot and go for a swim in the back seat pool.
pkhdonovan Champion Author Maine Posts:12,006 Points:2,704,830 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 2:54:40 PM Ignore pkhdonovan Report Abuse never text while driving
SuperMoto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:1,006 Points:1,577,940 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 2:43:05 PM Ignore SuperMoto Report Abuse I never use my cell phone when driving. It's off most of the time when in the car anyway. But it's OK for the police to do it even if it is against the law here. I don't think the cell phone law is enforced by most though.
bsylvia Rookie Author Massachusetts Posts:1 Points:295 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 2:32:36 PM Ignore bsylvia Report Abuse It's hard not to use a phone since the younger age grew up with phones attached to their heads and fingers.
GasprincessON Rookie Author Ottawa Posts:5 Points:9,125 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 2:17:56 PM Ignore GasprincessON Report Abuse Growing up without cell phones, lead me never to get in the habit of talking all the time on the bloody things. I was shocked to discover people actually text and drive at the same time. How do you keep your eyes on the road????
chui Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,903 Points:2,366,325 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 12:49:13 PM Ignore chui Report Abuse never use my phone when the key is on..........
neptune2008 Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,573 Points:1,669,725 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 12:47:48 PM Ignore neptune2008 Report Abuse dont like using phone while driving
Toyotatrollop Champion Author Baltimore Posts:7,464 Points:828,550 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 11:24:15 AM Ignore Toyotatrollop Report Abuse Not so much to stop using the phone while driving, as I don't use it much anyway. But the laws drive me to pound down some 40 ouncers and smoke some blimpie blunts.
Prostreetauto Rookie Author Seattle Posts:33 Points:340,235 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 11:20:05 AM Ignore Prostreetauto Report Abuse Some people can't walk and chew gum at the same time! If you have an accident while using the phone, throw the book at them and leave the rest of us coordinated people alone!
netadptr0719 Rookie Author St. Louis Posts:1 Points:56,470 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 11:11:55 AM Ignore netadptr0719 Report Abuse I don't think people will agree with me on this one but I do text while driving but I have always tried to use better judgement when doing it. If I am in the city or anywhere that there are a lot of cars or stop lights I don't even bother. My commute to/from work is opposite of traffic on an interstate and there are times that I drive to work and there are no cars for miles in front of me and none in my rear view mirror. In a case like this if someone has texted me recently Ill pull out my phone and respond with minimal concern. It has actually sort of become easier lately too because my phone will read texts to me and I can voice respond to them and it actually dictates pretty well. So now I am actually able to receive and respond to a text using nothing but phone commands and never actually look at the phone.
yellowberry Rookie Author New York Posts:6 Points:2,505 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 11:03:35 AM Ignore yellowberry Report Abuse just simply put the phone down while driving. then use it when you reach your destination.
Livewire44 Rookie Author Richmond Posts:4 Points:24,660 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 11:02:28 AM Ignore Livewire44 Report Abuse I have a blue tooth for talking and I simply ignore texts messages when driving. But either way I have noticed I talk less these days when driving anyways. I think I just in general find my Bluetooth irritating and i simply call people back when I hit my destination.
ejbowman Rookie Author Albany Posts:1 Points:15,535 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 10:41:43 AM Ignore ejbowman Report Abuse No they don't, unless enforced. I see more texting and talking on the phone today while driving, than ever.
PeachesCA Rookie Author California Posts:2 Points:140 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 10:38:34 AM Ignore PeachesCA Report Abuse I no longer text while driving....
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:12,087 Points:2,551,005 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 10:35:26 AM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse I don't use my phone while driving
anuj_pushkarna Champion Author Boston Posts:1,019 Points:219,540 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 10:20:32 AM Ignore anuj_pushkarna Report Abuse no more texting for me now
Lengas Champion Author Gary Posts:13,550 Points:2,717,025 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 9:59:16 AM Ignore Lengas Report Abuse No texting in my car.
carneck Rookie Author Saskatchewan Posts:5 Points:975 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 9:42:56 AM Ignore carneck Report Abuse ya istill do it sometimes trying to quit though
N9HVP Champion Author Indiana Posts:11,708 Points:2,470,640 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 9:04:48 AM Ignore N9HVP Report Abuse I don't use a phone while driving.
1madashell Veteran Author Wisconsin Posts:367 Points:1,641,780 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 9:03:29 AM Ignore 1madashell Report Abuse Shut up Hang up Just drive
gb540 Rookie Author Twin Cities Posts:12 Points:340 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 8:39:32 AM Ignore gb540 Report Abuse When I'm piloting a 2-ton metal box at 95 feet per second, should I be giving it my full attention, or should I be pecking at my cell phone? Distracted driving should carry the same penalties as DWI.
gazguzzler11 Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,436 Points:762,340 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 7:58:18 AM Ignore gazguzzler11 Report Abuse akshamu Make sure that you read the rebuttal that kame2c posted at May 6, 2011 10:51:09 PM. Where I live in Ontario we have a law that you have to have working smoke alarms in the appropriate places in your home. With your attitude I gather that you would not do this because nobody is going to tell you how to live your life & you have every right to needlessly die in a house fire. Do you stop at a train crossing if the lights are flashing? I would hope not. Make sure that you don't wear your seat belt. There are many laws on the books because people need to be protected from themselves as much as people need to be protected from each other. Most people with common sense don't need all these laws but you can't teach common sense to those who don't possess it so that is why many of these laws have to be enacted. The main function of the police is to prevent crime & injury just as the main function of the FD is to prevent fires & needless deaths. Maybe you should listen to them & quit thinking you are above everybody else.
Ziggy1962 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,749 Points:1,810,685 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 7:53:06 AM Ignore Ziggy1962 Report Abuse I do not text. I use a hands free, but don't talk very often.
rob_a_riley Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:178 Points:119,930 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 7:41:45 AM Ignore rob_a_riley Report Abuse The only anti-texting / mobile phone use law I know of around here is for school zones. As I don't drive thru those in my normal daily commute, I would have to say "no" to the poll.
Soulplayez All-Star Author Oakland Posts:549 Points:1,496,715 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 7:37:11 AM Ignore Soulplayez Report Abuse It's funny how law enforcement will pull you over and hand over a ticket for using your cell phone without a hands free device, but I have seen plenty (including a few hours ago) law enforcement using cell phones themselves without a device (hypocrites).
Dancin Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,510 Points:2,082,255 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 7:08:41 AM Ignore Dancin Report Abuse Not a lot of enforcement, unless there is a weekly special campaign. Then use returns to normal ...
rumbleseat Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:22,925 Points:3,530,290 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 5:37:23 AM Ignore rumbleseat Report Abuse akshamu, how does charging somebody with manslaughter bring a wife, husband, son, or daughter killed by an idiot yakking on the phone back to life?
TTM77 Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,134 Points:1,211,780 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 3:49:25 AM Ignore TTM77 Report Abuse not stopping ppl from doing what they want to do.
GasMonc All-Star Author Detroit Posts:907 Points:46,060 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 3:23:59 AM Ignore GasMonc Report Abuse I do not have a mobile phone, nor do I understand how the radioshack geeks brainwashed you all into wasting your money on them.
pulpwood Champion Author Mississippi Posts:7,379 Points:1,859,605 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 2:21:04 AM Ignore pulpwood Report Abuse I do not use one while driving.
DonKofAK All-Star Author Anchorage Posts:871 Points:632,475 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: May 7, 2011 2:06:20 AM Ignore DonKofAK Report Abuse I don't text while underway, but I use a bluetooth headset and I don't understand why others don't. As a pilot, I learned there's a HUGE difference between having a headset and fumbling for a microphone.
kame2c Champion Author Portland Posts:5,620 Points:193,725 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 10:51:09 PM Ignore kame2c Report Abuse Hey, akushamu, one has to know what laws n't you imagine that if there wasn't a law on the books, everyone involved in a fatal wreck would claim innocents ...police can't make up charges.
bja0030 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:3,194 Points:535,930 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 10:36:27 PM Ignore bja0030 Report Abuse yes
chui Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,903 Points:2,366,325 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 9:46:43 PM Ignore chui Report Abuse will not use phone in car.........
akshamu Rookie Author Anchorage Posts:75 Points:41,685 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 9:01:11 PM Ignore akshamu Report Abuse I want to know when we will get smart enough to realize that these types of laws are stupid and unnecesarily intrusive. If someone gets in an accident while on a phone and kills or injures someone, we don't need a special law, just charge them with manslaughter or assault. There are to many laws now that tell us how to behave every minute of the day. GET OUT OF OUR LIVES!
85ethanol Rookie Author Montana Posts:6 Points:776,070 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 8:50:49 PM Ignore 85ethanol Report Abuse Same here. I never text while driving, I don't even understand how you can safely do that, and I have been using hands free for some time. It is much more convenient, and that is a good time to make calls.
johnkoza Veteran Author Detroit Posts:356 Points:45,025 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 8:49:01 PM Ignore johnkoza Report Abuse Talk yes. Text no.
Ziggy1962 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,749 Points:1,810,685 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 8:34:48 PM Ignore Ziggy1962 Report Abuse I do not text. I use a hands free, but don't talk very often.
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:12,087 Points:2,551,005 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 8:10:35 PM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse I don't use my phone while driving
tmfleo Rookie Author Oakland Posts:54 Points:105,780 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 7:57:51 PM Ignore tmfleo Report Abuse I use bluetooth make and answer calls and a app on my smart phone that is a text to voice so no need to even look at the screen so I'm totally hands free. and not breaking any laws. [Edited by: tmfleo at 5/6/2011 7:59:05 PM EST]
dangnad All-Star Author Las Vegas Posts:864 Points:474,355 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 7:39:54 PM Ignore dangnad Report Abuse No problem. I don't use my cellphone anywhere anyway. It sits, awaiting its first non-spam call.
Pspeed Champion Author Baltimore Posts:7,149 Points:930,210 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 5:26:17 PM Ignore Pspeed Report Abuse I have stopped using my phone much because I'm too busy smoking my giant planet doobie.
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,536 Points:932,695 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 5:21:03 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse I have reduced my cellphone time to avoid being stopped by an over zealous Cop!!.
asin99 Rookie Author Austin Posts:99 Points:432,080 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 5:16:19 PM Ignore asin99 Report Abuse So, Hurry1Hard, you're tracked more like a tagged penguin? Sounds like you've been caught for something... lol I can't focus without my readers so no txting for me. I will call the txter back, though.
Hurry1Hard Rookie Author Ontario Posts:16 Points:1,240 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 5:12:55 PM Ignore Hurry1Hard Report Abuse I GAVE UP MY CELL PHONE DUE TO BILLING ISSUES. I DON'T MISS IT, I SAVE A PILE OF MONEY EVERY YEAR, AND NOBODY CAN FIND ME ONCE I LEAVE THE HOUSE. SO I AM NOT TRACKED LIKE A DOG ANYMORE. FREEDOM! LOVE IT
CANBBQ Rookie Author Oregon Posts:3 Points:39,650 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2011 4:25:15 PM Ignore CANBBQ Report Abuse I think the use of the phone had drastically reduced since the law came out. It is very dangerous as everyone knows, yet folks still do it. It only take a good scare driving to stop the idea of texting while driving.