http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
can we pass more meaningful legislation??]]>Jul 29th 2009 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Second, its a lot more dangerous than talking on the phone while driving. I completely agree with this bill. ]]>Jul 29th 2009 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
You have more reflex and control driving drunk than while driving texting - AND THAT IS A PROVEN FACT.

I agree with this bill.

Cause if any texting asshole rear ends my S63 with some piece of shit cheapo car, I'm getting out of the car with intent to kill.]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/It seems strange to us now that it was ever allowed.
How many lives has it saved ? Hard to say, but you would have to guess hundreds each year.
Do we miss driving and calling/texting ? Not at all.
]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
Now we have overpowered Presidents and Congressmen deciding the fate of our entire country instead of the States as intended.]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
Viva La Libertarian Revolucion!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QDv4sYwjO0

Also lets get rid of DUIs, its my right to drive drunk and crash into a soccer moms minivan full of 12 kids.

/sarcasm]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
imagine if driving while intoxicated was legal in some states. then imagine someone you care about being killed by a drunk driver and it being completely legal because said state hasn't outlawed it. you'd probably have a change of heart. imagine if the same thing happened except they were killed by someone too busy texting their significant other about tonight's plans rather than looking at the road. tell me you wouldn't hate them at all. tell me you'd honestly forgive them. when you're drunk, you're at least looking at the road, no matter how badly you see it. when you're texting, 5 seconds of typing away on a highway can mean not looking at the road AT ALL for the length of a football field. the way i see it, it's even more dangerous than drunk driving and it's something that has to be mandated on a federal level.]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/

LET THE STATES DECIDE WHAT LAWS THEY WANT.]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
That's not the point.

The constitution says clearly that if that document does not give the feds the power to do (X), it is the EXCLUSIVE domain of the states, and the people to do (X).

Can you find in the constitution where congress shall have the ability to impose laws banning the ability to text while in operation of motorized vehicles? Because I sure as hell cant.

Let the states figure out if this is what they need.]]>Jul 29th 2009 1:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 1:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
Regardless, this must be made law. Period.]]>Jul 29th 2009 1:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 1:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
http://www.synthstuff.com/mt/archives/orwell-watchfuleyes.jpg]]>Jul 29th 2009 1:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
Then the states should tell them to take their goddamn highway funds and shove it.

This is what happens when the states abdicated their 10th amendment sovereignty, and frankly their original power to appoint senators. They get asshole feds trying to blackmail them with our own money.

More of them need to do what states like Texas and Alaska have done and reassert their sovereignty, and they need to do it now!


"Regardless, this must be made law. Period."

Period? The hell it does.

This is a state issue, and they are free to deiced what is best for them in this regard.

The feds need to keep their nose out of it. PERIOD. ]]>Jul 29th 2009 1:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
"If you guys read the summary you'd see they absolutely are leaving it up to the states. Just in kind of a blackmaily kind of way."

I read the summary, and that's exactly the problem. The states are being threatened into doing what the Feds want. Here's an example: What if the government decided that "M" rated video games were "bad", and they decided to add $200 tax to each "M" rated game. They aren't explicitly saying that you *can't* play "M" rated games, but now that Gears of War 3 is going to cost $260, who will buy it?

Same thing is happening in this case. The Feds aren't saying that the states *must* pass laws to ban texting, but 25% of the annual federal highway funding is a lot. Which of the states would be able to buy their freedom?]]>Jul 29th 2009 1:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
Good idea, particularly since state budgets are currently cratering. Much like your roads soon will be without federal funds.

Hope you drive a monster truck...]]>Jul 29th 2009 1:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 1:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Did you forget to read this part of the Constitution?

"[The Congress shall have power] To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes"

Roads are part of interstate commerce. Therefore, Congress has the power to regulate them. See United States v. Lopez.]]>Jul 29th 2009 2:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/It also happens to be the legally binding charter for our federal government -- when congress acts outside the powers it grants them, they have exactly the same legitimacy as the Mafia, although they conduct themselves rather less respectably. This is a contrast to the constitutions of some other nations, which are positioned not as 0th-order law themselves, but as guidelines for the national parliament to establish law.

As to how long ago it was written, that doesn't matter -- it may be amended to override _any_ provision in it which proves to be a problem, or to address any new issues that were not addressed in the original. This is also evidence we don't treat it as "holy", because there are _no_ inviolate provisions.

The problem we have is that it's easier to pass federal laws contrary to the constitution and simply ignore it than to amend it to grant that authority permanently, so that's what politicians do.]]>Jul 29th 2009 2:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/

"Did you forget to read this part of the Constitution?

"[The Congress shall have power] To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes"

Roads are part of interstate commerce. Therefore, Congress has the power to regulate them. See United States v. Lopez."



And care to explain when did local roads become federally owned? Now lets read the posting together, slowly...

"...are now set to introduce legislation that would ban texting while driving throughout the United States. "

NOT on the federal highways, but on every street, avenue, alley, back road, parkway, interstate, dirt and tar street from Pt. Barrow to Key West.

This has nothing to do with regulating commerce. How is texting shipping goods interstate?

]]>Jul 29th 2009 2:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
i love how people are jumping on the 'omg big government' bandwagon, you are a TOOL if you think texting while driving is safe. we all do it, and yes you can throw your phone down if you see something, but chances are by the time you see the breaklights after looking up from your phone its too late and you better have good breaks.

i am for this legislation ... because honestly its good for the overall community ... if you cant handle not texting for 5 minutes ... than that sounds like a personal problem.]]>Jul 29th 2009 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
"No officer, I wasn't texting. I was (Insert Other Activity)!"

-Emailing
-Surfing the interwebs
-Trying to find my favorite song
-Attempting to plug in GPS directions
-etc.]]>Jul 29th 2009 4:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
We get tons of these in EU...]]>Jul 29th 2009 7:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
You become an expert in the constitution when you f'ing read it.

"i love how people are jumping on the 'omg big government' bandwagon, you are a TOOL if you think texting while driving is safe. we all do it, and yes you can throw your phone down if you see something, but chances are by the time you see the breaklights after looking up from your phone its too late and you better have good breaks.

i am for this legislation ... because honestly its good for the overall community ... if you cant handle not texting for 5 minutes ... than that sounds like a personal problem."



Are you even able of follow what the hell we are talking about? ]]>Jul 29th 2009 7:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
I also don't know which part of the UK you live in, but I wish I did live there - where I live, I see people using a mobile while driving quite frequently. But then, if people don't stop speeding on roads with speed cameras, why should we expect them to want to preserve their licence any other way? It's probably got a lot to do with how there aren't many police out and about on the roads - certainly not enough for the volume of traffic. When there is, those phones tend to disappear pretty sharp...]]>Jul 30th 2009 4:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Aug 3rd 2009 2:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Aug 12th 2009 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/I feel special]]>Jul 29th 2009 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 11:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Look up Patricia Lynch]]>Jul 29th 2009 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
So ridiculous.]]>Jul 29th 2009 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
The Federal government has no Constitutional authority on this matter. They should not be doing this legislation, completely independent of my feelings on the actual issue.

If you want to ban texting while driving, do so at the state level. To do it at the Federal issue is ridiculous, unconstitutional, and unAmerican. Get real.]]>Jul 29th 2009 3:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 11:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
As long as getting a BJ while driving doesn't ever get brought up for discussion.]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
It's going to be hard as hell to legislate, but I can tell you it's incredibly annoying to get stuck behind a determined texting moron while the light goes from green to red.]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/
Besides driving with their high beams and turn signal on, swinging over the painted line during a 2 lane simultaneous left turn, stopping in Yield areas no matter what, and driving 5 MPH under the speed limit in the left lane on the freeway, then having the nerve to actually get pissed at the drivers who are FORCED to swing around them, what else would Oklahomans do while they drive?]]>Jul 29th 2009 12:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 1:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 1:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/senators-to-introduce-legislation-banning-texting-while-driving/Jul 29th 2009 12:00PM