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Survey: Driving while texting should be illegal

Posted Sep 28 2009, 01:26 PM by Karen Datko
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This post comes from James Limbach at partner site ConsumerAffairs.com.

The vast majority of U.S. drivers believes handheld texting while driving is very dangerous and should be banned nationwide, according to a new survey.

The survey, conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates on behalf of the Ford Motor Co., found that 86% of U.S. drivers believe handheld texting while driving is "very dangerous" and 93% support a nationwide ban on it.

At the same time, only 42% of those asked think drivers would stop texting behind the wheel if the practice were banned. However, more than 75% say there would be more compliance if hands-free or voice-activated technologies were widely available.

"Research shows that activity that draws drivers' eyes away from the road for an extended period while driving, such as text messaging, substantially increases the risk of accidents," said Jim Vondale, director of Ford's Automotive Safety Office. "That is why we support a nationwide ban on handheld texting while driving and why Ford has developed hands-free and voice-activated technologies to allow drivers to remain connected, but to do so while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road."

Ford last week endorsed a proposed nationwide ban on handheld texting introduced by Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, both New York Democrats.

The survey shows that 67% of drivers said they believe voice-activated technology is a safe alternative to texting, and 76% said it would be an appealing feature in a car.

The survey results come as the U.S. Department of Transportation is scheduled to host a summit on driver distraction in Washington, D.C.

According to the survey, there is confusion among drivers over existing state laws prohibiting handheld cell phone use and/or texting while driving. A total of 18 states have enacted such bans, but nearly 40% of drivers in those states indicated they were unaware of the ban.

Research on driving solutions

According to an NHTSA-sponsored 100-car study conducted by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver inattention that may involve looking away from the road for more than a few seconds is a factor in nearly 80% of accidents.

"A growing number of drivers are using handheld wireless communications and music-playing devices while driving," said Louis Tijerina, Ford senior technical specialist. "Research clearly shows that manual operation of those devices that takes the driver's eyes from the road for an extended period of time creates the kind of distraction that causes accidents."

In addition, said Jeff Greenberg, senior technical leader for Ford Research & Advanced Engineering, "Our studies show that teens are much more willing to take risks while driving, such as manually dialing on a mobile phone in situations that demand greater attention."

Related reading at ConsumerAffairs.com:

New insight into cell phone use and driving distraction

Feds withheld data on cell phone dangers

Cell phone conversations district drivers, study finds

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Comments

 

Driving while texting while eating while drinking while playing video games while talking on the phone while checking the map while putting up the makeup while singing while tweeting while listening to radio while making obscene gesture toward other drivers should be illegal.

Mike_Is_Single (Posted 09.28.09 1:47 PM ) Report Abuse

Why do people think that they must answer every cell call or text immediately upon receiving one?  If people would only use common sense, there would not need to be these bans.  But I see frequently see it.  People, mostly teens (maybe because I live near a school), blowing through stop signs and speeding while holding a cell phone in front of them or talking on one.  I actually see no difference between DWT and DUI.  They can both be deadly.

Larry (Posted 09.28.09 1:48 PM ) Report Abuse

I think texting and talking on the phone while driving should be legal, just tax it. Tax every letter sent a text and every word spoken over the phone. That way we can fund much needed social programs and hire better teachers so students can spend longer hours in school

Dave in San Francisco (Posted 09.28.09 3:03 PM ) Report Abuse

Here's a crazy idea: Rather than wait for government to pass laws that make texting while driving illegal why not just take the initiative and not text while driving?

Problem solved.

Wait, I just realized we are a nation of foolish children who need Uncle Mommy and Daddy to think for us.

This idea is stupid here's why (Posted 09.28.09 4:46 PM ) Report Abuse

I can't text or talk on the cell phone while driving because I refuse to get a cell phone.  People can call my home number and leave a message and I'll reply when I get home.  It works for me, even though it sounds so 1985.

Jeffrey7500ontwitter (Posted 09.28.09 6:00 PM ) Report Abuse

I had to laugh at Jeffrey7500's response when I first read it. But on second read...it makes the most sense, in some respect. Whatever DID we do before cellphones and texting? How did we ever survive? Somehow, we managed!

Driving is not a right; it is a privilege. Same for owning these electronic devices. Your car is not a rolling phone booth, and no one has the right to endanger others for the sake of a phone call or text message. And I don't care how much practice you've had, or how long you've done it, or how good a multi-tasker you THINK you are. You will injure or kill someone with your inattentiveness. Ether that, or the attentive driver will come up behind you as you peddle along at 15 miles an hour, weaving between lanes, and nail you good because you were not paying attention and he was; he just couldn't figure out if you were drunk, stoned, talking to yourself or someone else.

nancyinfl (Posted 09.28.09 6:39 PM ) Report Abuse

I hate cell phones! I have one, but is the most basic "vanilla" phone, and I chose to have texting deactivated. For emergencies, they're wonderful! For everything else, not so much. I teach, and the fact that I have to warn students in my syllabus of the consequences of talking on the phone or texting during class really bothers me. It is disrespectful to others and downright insane while driving. Unfortunately, the technology is here to stay. God help us all.

(((sigh))) (Posted 09.28.09 6:53 PM ) Report Abuse

We need to treat texting while driving just like DUI. $3000 for the first offense, and progressively higher fines for each subsequent violation. Permanent suspension of all driving privileges after 3rd violation.

enoughisenough (Posted 09.29.09 12:01 AM ) Report Abuse

My home state of Arkansas was recently added to the list of states that enacted laws against texting while driving.  And I agree, it is just dumb to text (or do any number of other things) while driving.  Anyone who has been on a packed free-way at rush hour knows that  a split second is all the time you have to make decisions that may change your life, and that of the other drivers around  you.  Even with your full attention on the road, you can still end up injured or dead.  But what we need to do is educate, or change the technology so that texting isn't necessary, indeed it isn't even an option, while the engine is running.  Maybe manufactures could create some kind of static producing device that interferred with the phones.  A law like this is impossible to enforce since most texting devices will be hidden from view, on the lap or console.  After all, kids are kids and they will find a way to continue texting if they can.  Only when an accident occurs and someone dies with a half finished message on their phone will it be possible to ticket someone.  

Sky (Posted 09.29.09 4:25 PM ) Report Abuse

Because so many people do not have common sense, sadly there will have to be goverment intervention to stop people from doing that. OH NO, MORE Goverment intervention. Well, you can't stop stupid so it looks like big brother will have to step in. Am I right Republican'ts?

ConcernedMarineInTX (Posted 09.29.09 5:55 PM ) Report Abuse

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