Federal Ban On Texting While Driving?

(CBS)  Chances are - if you took driver-ed or one of those refresher courses - the instructor told you most accidents are preventable, if only the driver would pay attention.

That's why 13 states now have laws against texting while driving and 17 more are considering them. But some experts say what we really need is a federal ban, as CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella reports.

The only ting that could prevent one bus driver in San Antonio, Tex. from sending text messages on his phone… was the SUV in front of him. No one was seriously hurt that crash, but the people on a Los Angeles commuter train weren't so lucky.

Twenty-five people were killed in a train collision last fall, including the driver, who was sending text messages moments before the crash.

Russell and Kim Hurd lost their daughter Heather last year. She wasn't texting at the wheel, but a tractor-trailer several cars behind her was. She and another driver were killed instantly in the crash.

"He was not speeding," Kim Hurd said. "He just wasn't looking at the road"

"His poor decisions changed my life forever," added Russell Hurd.

Law enforcement officials say texting at the wheel is one of the most dangerous driving habits -
but it's also one of the hardest to resist.

"We see that all the time," said Sgt. Allen Adkins of the Broward County, Fla. sheriff's office

Asked if he had ever done it himself, Adkins replied, "Yeah. I'm not gonna lie to you."

In fact, a nationwide insurance study found one in seven drivers admits sending text messages in the driver's seat. Among 18- to 24-year-old, it's even higher - one out of two drivers.

Some parents are so worried about their text-addicted teens they're installing cameras in cars. These are not hidden cameras - the teens know they're there.

But they're still undeterred.

Some schools, like one in South Florida, are teaching students the dangers of texting and driving by letting them try it - from the safety of an indoor simulator.

"Even if you take your eyes off the road for two seconds you could drive off the road or hit another car," one student said.

Still, some say that even the hands-on lesson in the dangers of distracted driving may not cause them to put down the phone...

"I think I'm gonna definitely limit it but its hard to say I'm gonna completely stop," said student Sondra Schenker.

That's why the Hurd family is pushing for a federal ban.

"We've learned not to drink and drive 'cause it's against the law," Russell Hurd said. "We are hoping to do the same thing" - so drivers finally get the message to keep their eyes off the screen and on the road.

[alf438]

The federal government made a good move in banning text messaging for truck and school bus drivers, but it should be expanded to all drivers. An email or text message is not worth your daughter/mother/spouse's life. Any responsible driver should pull over or at least consider a hands-free texting application like TextnDrive (http://www.textndrive.com/textingwhiledriving.php). While those applications don't eliminate the problem, they at least try to reduce the distraction.

[jami94]

ohkayy im 15. im just learning how to drive. im scared of getting an accidents and my parents tell me about it. im doing a report on texting and driving. i believe it should be banned for everyone. yeahh people may think its not going to work butt like someone said it might make youu think twice about it. everyone makes their decisions butt whyy would youu decide to put your life or someone elses in danger. youuu might love to text heyy i am not ganna lie i do butt i know if someone i loved got in an accident because someone was texting i would be tramitized. think about it it could happen to youu. it could happen to anyone. it a self fish act.

i know kids my age my think this is cheesy or stupid. butt im pretty sure it will make a change in someones life. it could be yourss.....

[revking88]

This is a no brainer. What on God's green earth is wrong with these people anyway? If you can't talk on the cell in your car while driving what makes you think you can text? It takes more attention off of the road than talking. Give them a DUIS, Driving Under the Influence of Stupidity. And what the heck has taken so long in passing laws against texting. It certainly would be easy to enforce. If a cop can see you coming at him, 30 yards away, that you don't have your seatbelt on, he definitely will be able to notice you weaving back and forth in your lane while texting. Common sense people. What happened to common sense?

[lisachamp]

Yes, of course, there should be a federal law banning texting while driving. The fine should be very large so that people will stop putting other people (and themselves) in harms way.
I don't even put my car on cruise control because I think it is a very dangerous tool to use. It would be so easy to slam on the gas instead of break while using it.

[outwestbutnotca]

Can we get back on track? Texting is bad while driving, okay? So is putting on makeup and reading a book. Sex while driving is dangerous too. Smoking is bad for you, and those around you. Drinking alcohol is bad to a significant percentage of those who do it. Same with gambling. Being grossly over weight is bad. Not enough exercise is bad. Too much fat in your diet is bad. A majority of us would agree that certain lifestyles and acts performed by and/or between consenting adults are bad. Some books really do not belong in the library. Most of us really do get it. Okay?

Now, how many of you want THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATING AGAINST ANY OF THESE THINGS!!!!! That is the subject here. In case you slept through civics class, that is not how we are SUPPOSED to work. Don?t like it, change it, but let?s not play lip service to our rules in the meantime.

Thanks

[ladypirate2]

"Federal Ban On Texting While Driving?" ... Do they really think that will stop people for texting while driving?
Posted by tomanyt at 9:18 AM : Jun 10, 2009

It might at least make you think twice about it when you are caught by the police or highway patrol and you are hit with a huge fine!

[ladypirate2]

About the helmet law, about 20 years ago a friend of mine was in a motorcycle accident. He wasn't wearing a helmet and he hit a pothole. He lived about a week on a respirator. The doctor finally told his mother that he was brain dead. She told him to pull the plug. He died a few minutes later. He was only in his twenties! If you ever knew someone who died like this you would definitely be for the helmet law!

Also there have been entirely too many deaths because of texting and talking on cell phones and etc while driving. Something has to be done!

[rigsbyt]

Who has exactly learned not to drink and drive? I still see reports on almost a daily basis of accidents caused by someone drinking. You will never completely stop anything, you can slow it down, and a federal ban is giving the government more control, and proving to them the public can't take care themselves. If everytime the public needs something they cry out to the government for help sooner or later the government (through our own actions) will start making decisions for us...

[rigsbyt]

AHHHH! Here we go again...

Make more laws without any proof you can even enforce them, sure some will get caught but not all...

[Oregon_State_OSU]

What a Fantastic IDEA. Should have been done 3 years ago.

I refuse to TEXT while I am driving.