Ban on texting etc while driving


The new Illinois text messaging law goes into effect on January 1st, 2010. According to the new law:

"A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message"

And goes on to define an "electronic message" as;

""Electronic message" includes, but is not limited to electronic mail, a text message, an instant message, or a command or request to access an Internet site."

How sad we have to make a law to regulate common sense. JMO

Not a statewide law here (yet), but it is a county law.

I thought that it was effective this past summer. I'd been obeying for nothing!!

You also cannot talk on the phone in a school or construction zone as part of this new law, but that's not getting much attention.

Can't legally talk on a phone while driving anywhere in NY.

They banned texting while driving here in CA effective the beginning of this year (1/1/09). Strangely, this was six months after they banned talking on a cell phone while driving without a hands-free device. I guess they didn't have the foresight to realize that people would simply text rather than talk, which is much more dangerous.

Of course, operating an ipod/MP3 player while driving is just as dangerous as texting. I suppose that is next.

I guess it goes without saying that you can't fix stupid.

At least I can still read the paper, drink a coffee, and eat a sandwich.

Here in this state it is illegal to use the phone while driving unless using a hands-free device. Yesterday, I saw a man with the phone stuck between his ear and shoulder and he was eating a sandwich. He was in one of those big, huge dually pick-up trucks and was swerving between a couple of lanes. Scary! I was with my mom and I told her to get far away from that vehicle!

Honestly, I'm not sure why hands-free devices are even allowed. I'd think the actual process of talking is just as distracting as holding the phone.

However, I am guilty of talking while driving. I even got caught once

However, now I do have and use a my bluetooth or the speakerphone.

Next there will be no talking to other passengers.

Then, there will be no talking to yourself.

What a stupid law!

Sent from my Blackberry whilst driving 90 down I-94 in my dually pick up.

Would be interested in seeing statistics about the number of accidents before cell technology vs now when you can do everything but pay attention to your driving.

People get po'd at me because I often don't turn my cell phone on at all. I need a little peace and quiet in my life and the only place I can be sure no one will interupt or come in is when I'm driving my car. I guard that quiet time ferociously.

"no texting while driving" law goes into effect here in Austin on Jan. 1

^^^^^^^^^ needs a regulator on the accelarator!

But you can still wear tie-dye shirts and smoke clove cigarettes, right?

Does this include voice commands that are converted to text (which would be similar to a hands free device and phone)?

Not that I ever text and drive, but I do venture into Illinois every so often and it would be nice to know.

brat!

you need to look again...it's not just hippies here! afterall....this IS Texas!

No hippies in Austin?

<--- has two cousins in Austin.

They aren't hippies.

I'm the exact opposite. My drive is 43 miles door to door on country highways. I use that time to connect with family. I make all my sister-in-laws, mother and mother-in-law calls in the car. My mom will talk non-stop from the time I leave work until I get home, without taking a breath. It just involves me pulling up her number and going Uh Huh for the next 45 minutes. That leaves me free at home to get things done or relax! If I'm in the car - I'm on the phone!

I won't do that while driving in bad weather, rain or when in the city though. Driving those times need all my attention. Quasi safety first?