Texting and Driving Dangers

By: Daniel Sieberg
Topics: Sneak Preview

(iStockphoto)

Admit it, we've likely all either succumbed to the temptation or watched someone else do it: check an e-mail or text message or talk on the phone while driving. We've convinced ourselves we're master multi-taskers and can handle any number of distractions from a screaming kid to changing the address in a GPS device to thumb-typing "honeee ill b home l8 2nite."

In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll raise my hand as a guilty party, too. But ever since I did a story last year on the serious accidents and even deaths associated with the hazards of talking or texting while driving I've really managed to curb my bad habits. Still, on a larger scale, the problem isn't getting much better. In fact, it might be getting worse.

See Daniel Sieberg's Distracted Driving Story Here

This week, people from government, car makers, insurance companies, safety groups and more will meet in Washington, DC, at the Distracted Driver Summit. The purpose-- the find ways to educate people about the dangers, better enforce existing laws or create new ones (maybe on a nationwide level that could include banning all handheld use), and discuss technologies that could prevent people from using their devices while driving.

Today, we tagged along with about 40 teenagers as they took part in a safe driving course that put them in the driver's seat while being bombarded by distractions. For 17-year-old Joseph James, it was an eye-opening experience. Before getting in the car he was pretty confident about his performance. But after mowing down more than a few cones he came away humbled.

I hope you'll watch our story tonight on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and maybe generate some discussion with your fellow loved ones (aka drivers). Of course, we can all agree there's a lot to be said for simple common sense in this case, but aren't we all a little guilty of forgetting that sometimes?

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by timinbovey December 12, 2009 9:25 AM EST: The number one and two causes for accidents on the nations roads are excessive speed, and impaired driving (alcohol, drugs, etc). Distracted driving is quite a way down the list, and texting is further down the list within the list of distractions.

That said, with excessive speed being number 1 or 2 on the list the fact that there are speed limits does not seem to stop speeding. Literally EVERY driver speeds at least ONCE on EVERY drive they take. The route I drive to work every day includes a 30 that becomes a 40, then a 65. Virtually every car is going at least 40 in the 30, and 50+ in the 40. Catching a speeder is a pretty easy, straightforward operation. It's pretty basic to see a car going 10+ over the limit and pulling them over. But enforcement officials never seem to bother with this. Why so much extra effort in texting laws? When a much more significant cause of death on the roads is so obvious and easy to enforce? Somehow officers are expected to be able to see inside a car, below the bottom of the windows to see if someone is texting? Any why a separate law for texting? What if they're driving down the road with a Bible or a Playboy in their lap that they're reading? Oh, sure that falls under "distracted driving" laws, I hear you scream, but for some reason texting doesn't and needs it's own law? It's completely insane and out of proportion. To me it appears that you can do ANYTHING while driving except TEXTING, and whether or not it's considered distracted driving is up for debate, but texting is automatically distracting. Roasting marshamallows, sharpening your ice skates, polishing your shoes, knitting, building a model airplane -- any of these things are not actually illegal to do while driving but texting automatically IS. Makes no legal or logical sense. Texting just like anything else is already covered under the existing distracted driving laws.

Lest you think I'm a big driving while texting person who is trying to justify his deadly texting habit, you're wrong. I do have a cell phone, and I do occasionally text, however I don't while I'm driving and couldn't if I wanted to! I need my reading glasses on to text, and if I put them on I can't see the road! Although, driving with my reading glasses on would be legal -- no law has been made specifically for that. Yet.; Reply to this comment


by steve_notson September 30, 2009 9:06 PM EDT: I sure hope that you don't text and drive. I suppose at one point in time or another weve all done this. I'm even guilty of this. I have more of a problem dodging the other idiots that drive around here that are texting, talking on their cell phones, putting on makeup and even reading a book while driving. Seems to me people do not possess any good common sense anymore. Then again I think I have a target on me somewhere and they are gunning for me.; Reply to this comment


by USA_GUY September 30, 2009 6:09 PM EDT: Law enforcement has been using more cell phones to communicate so that criminals cannot listen in on conversations thus giving them a heads up on police activity.
But I suggest they make texting a felony and start putting up pictures on web sites of text offenders.; Reply to this comment


by USA_GUY September 30, 2009 5:54 PM EDT: I pulled over to type a text msg and was rear ended by another person sending a text while driving. Isnt that ironic alanis? Luckily I am unhurt and nothing was damaged.
That was not a true story, but it could be. Texting while driving is way to dangerous. Why have a phone and use it for text? Does not make sense when you can phone.; Reply to this comment


by KrystalKid September 30, 2009 12:33 PM EDT: 80% percent of all rear end collisions (the most frequent vehicle accident) are caused by driver inattention, following too closely, external distraction (talking on cell phones, shaving, applying makeup, fiddling with the radio or CD player, kids, texting, etc.) and poor judgement.

I doubt if we'll be able to stop the madness so I went out and got one of these sparebumper.com; Reply to this comment


by biggarren September 29, 2009 9:07 PM EDT: Story got me to thinking. Cell phone use continues to grow and I have yet to meet anyone who's gotten cited. Maybe, this law isn't taken as serious as other traffic laws because more times than not (I'd say 3 out of 5) when I see a Sacramento Sheriff Deputy or Police vehicle on the road the deputy or officer is on the phone. Thanks for the story it did get me thinking.; Reply to this comment

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