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According to CBS2, Secretary of State Jesse White is planning to propose a ban on texting while driving. Chicago's ban on talking on a cell phone on the road took effect three years ago, but law enforcement officials feel that it needs to be tightened in response to the dramatic increase in text messaging.
Chicago does seem to enjoy banning things (and then, perhaps, lifting the bans) but we think that this one might be reasonable. Cities around the country have enacted or are considering similar laws, and anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that texting-related crashes are on the rise. A survey last year by the Harris company found that a whopping 91 percent of people are in favor of banning text messaging while driving.
The only problem we can see? People who don't obey the law frantically trying to hide their phones whenever they see a police car. We've nearly been run off the road by people dropping and then picking up their phones to continue their interrupted conversation. How dare the police get in the way of their gossip! [photo by ford.]
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While there's no question in my mind you shouldn't be doing these things (just like you shouldn't be applying mascara while driving down the highway) do we really need laws on the books telling us this?
Are we eventually going to define every dangerous thing you could possibly do and assign misdemeanor fines based on the likelihood of death and dismemberment?
exactly. why does this even have to be stated? and here's the thing ... people who are so self-centered as to be texting while driving don't think these laws apply to them. seriously.
not to mention, i can't tell you how many cops i've seen with cell phones to their ears. i think if you get in an accident because you are talking on a phone or texting or something, you should get a reckless driving ticket.
While 91% of the public may support such a ban, I'm fairly sure based on visual evidence that more than 9% of the public actually commits the act. Somebody's being hypocritical.