I agree while moving, the laws are usually so broad that they apply while operating a motor vehicle, i don’t care if someone responds to a text while waiting at a stoplight
Not sure but I think it should be legal to bear mace people who block stairs or busy public spaces while texting or using their phones. Also for not using earphones on public transit.
Texting while driving is extremely dangerous and should be treated with the same severity as driving under the influence. Both actions significantly impair a driver’s ability to react safely to changing road conditions, putting themselves and others at serious risk.
If the vehicle is moving then yes, it should absolutely be punished. You’re taking your attention off the road and putting everyone around you at risk if you end up missing anything as a result. No excuses.
Where I live holding a phone in your hand while driving, for whatever reason, gets you a $1200 fine and if you get caught twice in less than a year you lose your license for 3 months. If you are under 25 years old or have had a license for less than 3 years you lose your license after the first offence. That seems like an appropriate level of punishment to me
I think that’s really good! If you can’t give the road your full attention, then you shouldn’t be driving. You’re putting other people’s lives at risk and it’s so selfish.
Yes, I know too many people and have seen too many crashes from texters, especially distracted females. (not biased, just see it more in my area) I think it should be punished like driving under the influence, you are driving a dangerous vehicle and can’t see while texting.
If you text and drive you are a baby killer. Same as drink and drive. When I see someone on their phone in traffic I want to run them off the road so they don’t hurt somebody.
I am seeing some responses that it should be ok to text while at a red light. I know this is anecdotal, but one of my kids rear-ended another car at a red light because she was texting when the light turned green and she started moving while trying to finish a text. It is okay to text at a stop light but there still needs to be some mention of when is it ok and when not ok.
I think it should be lighter but not by much. It’s still distracted driving which is a very bad thing to do and shows a disregard for the safety of yourself and others but driving while drunk or on drugs is still definitely a worse thing.
I agree with it. There’s a law in most states I’ve lived in that say it’s illegal, but idiots still do it. Every time I drive, there’s some idiot swerving into my lane or randomly braking because they’re texting. Or they drive so slow they slow traffic. It’s a problem and extremely selfish.
Then you should also lump in speeding, eating, doing makeup, and everything else that causes increased risks.
But 99% of people running red lights, stop signs, and causing accidents are not drunk.
Absolutely. The stats don’t lie—texting while driving is just as deadly as drunk driving in terms of reaction time and distraction. Both take your focus off the road, and both are entirely preventable.
I’ve seen too many close calls where someone swerved because they were glued to their phone. If the penalties were as harsh as a DUI, maybe people would think twice before checking that ‘urgent’ notification. No text is worth a life…
My problem is when they stop Moms sitting in traffic that is barely moving trying to communicate with the preschool or caregivers or kids. If you’re stopping people full on driving fast and texting at the same time, maybe. If you’re stopping people who are not really a danger, leave them alone.
I am concerned about the number of times I see someone coming from the opposite direction suddenly veering their car away from mine because they just noticed the road curved….
Yes, 100%. I’ve been in three accidents in my life. Every single one of them has been while I was stopped at a red light. The first was icy road conditions, the other two were because fuckwits were texting. Some asshole hit me while I was at a dead stop at the end of a line of cars at a red light. He was going about 50mph and didn’t even try to brake. Mashed me into the car in front of me. I saw it coming and couldn’t do anything. He could have killed people. Fuck him, put his ass in jail or at least take away driving privileges for a while.
Texting while driving is dangerous, but it makes more sense to me for it to be punished as a traffic violation like excessive speeding or running a red light. The main reason is that driving under the influence isn’t something you can stop doing/turn off while driving, whereas you would be able yo put your phone down–so instead of being a hazard at that moment in time, you’re a hazard the entire time you’re behind the wheel.
In favor of it. Not just texting but overall using a device other than maps. So many people doom scrolling thru some tiktok or shorts while driving or at the intersection.
First off, I would like to see some kind of enforcement even if it were just a $100 fine. But I want to see it enforced to the point where on my way to work and home I don’t pass like 30 people obviously texting. You probably don’t pass 30 people drinking and driving at 1am on Saturday night but you see the texting and driving shit all day every day.
I was rear-ended by someone who was texting and driving, with my three-year-old in the backseat. I can’t tell you how horrible those three seconds were before I turned around to see if he was OK. Worst day of my fucking life. I still have back issues to this day because my seatbelt didn’t lock and I was basically bent in half. It’s stupid and selfish and should be a have major consequences.
Absolutely, they drive worse than a drunk when texting.
A drunk has a chance of seeing a hazard and maybe even avoiding it if their reactions can work in time. A texter doesn’t even see it in the first place.
What about at stop lights? What about in car entertainment systems? Too many variables, bad idea. Driving without drinking is easy, and easy to monitor. Imagine if we all had a flask of liquor in our pockets at all time.
It definitely should be punished. And more stringently and rigorously than it is now.
But i would draw a distinction between those sitting checking texts at a traffic light being selfish, annoying arseholes. Those driving along whilst actively texting. And those out of their heads on drink or drugs who are literally incapable of controlling a vehicle.
As i said ALL of these offences should be punished more severely IMO. But we can have a gradient and nuance.
All are awful behaviours. But drink/drugged driving is IMO a worse offence. And the law should reflect that.
We also run the risks of morons having “just one more drink” because “it’s only as bad as sending a text”.
I want it punished harshly. I’ve been hit by two drivers who were staring at their phones. This comes from a place of both general concern for having safer roads and a selfish wish to see people who do this held accountable for real.
I got hit by a texting driver when I was 13, absolutely should be treated like driving under the influence. Just pull over if you need to text someone.
i think every idea / law has nuance and there’s no magic bullet; that said, enforcement given those nuances becomes really difficult.
Should a text at a red light be banned – car isn’t moving is that unsafe? How about a text in stop and go traffic on the freeway then when you’re not moving? What about if you’re in a tesla with autopilot on and zero traffic on an open highway with no traffic? what about voice texting while you’re not even touching your phone (i find that to be just as distracting since it always gets it wrong)?
I don’t know what a practical fair solution is but i’m also not convinced it should be treated the same as a DUI given the different levels of inherent danger
Interesting how the comments here are overwhelmingly against texting while driving, but out on the road, it feels like half the drivers are glued to their phones. Either a lot of people are being hypocritical, or there’s a weird disconnect between what people say and what they actually do. Makes you wonder.
With that said, I’d support this move as long as the enforcement is there. It’s really about enforcement. Florida law is very lenient, it’s a $30 ticket (non moving violation) for the first offense…that is all. That does have to change. But again, who’s enforcing it?
One thing I’d love to see, is the state promoting snitches via dashcam. Promote citizens to turn in video evidence of clear traffic infractions for the police to issue proper citations.
Comments
Good.
I’m okay with that.
I both cases you are operating a motor vehicle while you are unable to provide your full attention to the road and your surroundings
I think driving and texting is a shitty thing to do. Same as driving whilst under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
I agree while moving, the laws are usually so broad that they apply while operating a motor vehicle, i don’t care if someone responds to a text while waiting at a stoplight
Not sure but I think it should be legal to bear mace people who block stairs or busy public spaces while texting or using their phones. Also for not using earphones on public transit.
Texting while driving is extremely dangerous and should be treated with the same severity as driving under the influence. Both actions significantly impair a driver’s ability to react safely to changing road conditions, putting themselves and others at serious risk.
If the vehicle is moving then yes, it should absolutely be punished. You’re taking your attention off the road and putting everyone around you at risk if you end up missing anything as a result. No excuses.
Absolutely. And both should be dealt with by firing squad.
The research shows that texting is as bad for driving as being under the influence, so yeah, it should be treated the same.
Where I live holding a phone in your hand while driving, for whatever reason, gets you a $1200 fine and if you get caught twice in less than a year you lose your license for 3 months. If you are under 25 years old or have had a license for less than 3 years you lose your license after the first offence. That seems like an appropriate level of punishment to me
I think that’s really good! If you can’t give the road your full attention, then you shouldn’t be driving. You’re putting other people’s lives at risk and it’s so selfish.
I think it should even be punished more because I believe it might be more dangerous than DUI.
Yes, I know too many people and have seen too many crashes from texters, especially distracted females. (not biased, just see it more in my area) I think it should be punished like driving under the influence, you are driving a dangerous vehicle and can’t see while texting.
In some cases it could be more dangerous than DUI.
Both of them show a disregard for the lives and safety of others on the road.
If you text and drive you are a baby killer. Same as drink and drive. When I see someone on their phone in traffic I want to run them off the road so they don’t hurt somebody.
Absolutely! If you are operating a vehicle, you should only be operating the vehicle.
I am all for it but while stopped at a Red light I see no issue with it. I am usually distracted by something else when stopped anyway.
If I had to choose between all drivers being 3 beers deep or all drivers texting and driving, im choosing 3 beers deep.
The texters are at least as bad.
I can’t tell you how many people I see on there phones driving down the highway maybe even every other car someone is on their phone it’s crazy to me.
Should be treated as a DUI
I am seeing some responses that it should be ok to text while at a red light. I know this is anecdotal, but one of my kids rear-ended another car at a red light because she was texting when the light turned green and she started moving while trying to finish a text. It is okay to text at a stop light but there still needs to be some mention of when is it ok and when not ok.
I think it should be lighter but not by much. It’s still distracted driving which is a very bad thing to do and shows a disregard for the safety of yourself and others but driving while drunk or on drugs is still definitely a worse thing.
Absolutely, it is reckless and dangerous.
tell me you got a fine for driving and texting without saying you were driving and texting
IMO it should even be harder punished since you decided while being sober to risk the life of others just to tip on your phone.
I agree with it. There’s a law in most states I’ve lived in that say it’s illegal, but idiots still do it. Every time I drive, there’s some idiot swerving into my lane or randomly braking because they’re texting. Or they drive so slow they slow traffic. It’s a problem and extremely selfish.
I absolutely believe that it should be treated like a dui, if not harsher. Driving a car without paying attention to the road is gross negligence.
Both should be punished with a year in prison and a lifetime driving ban
If texting while driving was punishable the same way (high fines, loss of license, jail) it would start happening less.
I drive 50 mi one way to work and the amount of people I see on the road scrolling while driving is astounding.
Then you should also lump in speeding, eating, doing makeup, and everything else that causes increased risks.
But 99% of people running red lights, stop signs, and causing accidents are not drunk.
It’s not just texting, it’s making fun little Snapchat stories like it’s your personal tv show.
Main character syndrome at its finest.
People don’t care about other people and if they were hurt by similar, it’d be used as content.
Absolutely. The stats don’t lie—texting while driving is just as deadly as drunk driving in terms of reaction time and distraction. Both take your focus off the road, and both are entirely preventable.
I’ve seen too many close calls where someone swerved because they were glued to their phone. If the penalties were as harsh as a DUI, maybe people would think twice before checking that ‘urgent’ notification. No text is worth a life…
Throw the book at them. Motherfuckers are obnoxious and like most drunk drivers; they are in complete denial about how shitty they are driving.
My problem is when they stop Moms sitting in traffic that is barely moving trying to communicate with the preschool or caregivers or kids. If you’re stopping people full on driving fast and texting at the same time, maybe. If you’re stopping people who are not really a danger, leave them alone.
I would love that.
I am concerned about the number of times I see someone coming from the opposite direction suddenly veering their car away from mine because they just noticed the road curved….
I think we should invest in more rail infrastructure.
Yes, 100%. I’ve been in three accidents in my life. Every single one of them has been while I was stopped at a red light. The first was icy road conditions, the other two were because fuckwits were texting. Some asshole hit me while I was at a dead stop at the end of a line of cars at a red light. He was going about 50mph and didn’t even try to brake. Mashed me into the car in front of me. I saw it coming and couldn’t do anything. He could have killed people. Fuck him, put his ass in jail or at least take away driving privileges for a while.
Makes sense to me.
I think bumping it up to reckless driving would be more appropriate.
Texting while driving is dangerous, but it makes more sense to me for it to be punished as a traffic violation like excessive speeding or running a red light. The main reason is that driving under the influence isn’t something you can stop doing/turn off while driving, whereas you would be able yo put your phone down–so instead of being a hazard at that moment in time, you’re a hazard the entire time you’re behind the wheel.
In favor of it. Not just texting but overall using a device other than maps. So many people doom scrolling thru some tiktok or shorts while driving or at the intersection.
First off, I would like to see some kind of enforcement even if it were just a $100 fine. But I want to see it enforced to the point where on my way to work and home I don’t pass like 30 people obviously texting. You probably don’t pass 30 people drinking and driving at 1am on Saturday night but you see the texting and driving shit all day every day.
I was rear-ended by someone who was texting and driving, with my three-year-old in the backseat. I can’t tell you how horrible those three seconds were before I turned around to see if he was OK. Worst day of my fucking life. I still have back issues to this day because my seatbelt didn’t lock and I was basically bent in half. It’s stupid and selfish and should be a have major consequences.
Absolutely, they drive worse than a drunk when texting.
A drunk has a chance of seeing a hazard and maybe even avoiding it if their reactions can work in time. A texter doesn’t even see it in the first place.
What about at stop lights? What about in car entertainment systems? Too many variables, bad idea. Driving without drinking is easy, and easy to monitor. Imagine if we all had a flask of liquor in our pockets at all time.
Texting sure, got no problems with calls though. Not the least but more dangerous than speaking to a passenger.
Bloody oath it should be.
Yes. Very dangerous to text and drive.
It should be treated exactly the same as it is just as dangerous
Absolutely.
It definitely should be punished. And more stringently and rigorously than it is now.
But i would draw a distinction between those sitting checking texts at a traffic light being selfish, annoying arseholes. Those driving along whilst actively texting. And those out of their heads on drink or drugs who are literally incapable of controlling a vehicle.
As i said ALL of these offences should be punished more severely IMO. But we can have a gradient and nuance.
All are awful behaviours. But drink/drugged driving is IMO a worse offence. And the law should reflect that.
We also run the risks of morons having “just one more drink” because “it’s only as bad as sending a text”.
And there are a lot of morons.
I want it punished harshly. I’ve been hit by two drivers who were staring at their phones. This comes from a place of both general concern for having safer roads and a selfish wish to see people who do this held accountable for real.
It’s a two ton murder machine that kills tens of thousands every year. Both should be treated far harsher than they currently are
In reality it should be treated like attempted murder.
Yes it should and start with the police they are habitually on their phones texting or talking while driving pull their body cams and punish them
I got hit by a texting driver when I was 13, absolutely should be treated like driving under the influence. Just pull over if you need to text someone.
How many times have you seen a near-miss accident, and you look inside the car, and the person’s on their phone?
How many times have you been behind someone doing far LESS than the speed limit, and when you finally see them, they’re on their phone?
How many times have you seen pedestrians almost get run over because the car driver was on their phone?
How many examples of this do you need to prove that talking/texting while driving IS distracting and IS dangerous?
i think every idea / law has nuance and there’s no magic bullet; that said, enforcement given those nuances becomes really difficult.
Should a text at a red light be banned – car isn’t moving is that unsafe? How about a text in stop and go traffic on the freeway then when you’re not moving? What about if you’re in a tesla with autopilot on and zero traffic on an open highway with no traffic? what about voice texting while you’re not even touching your phone (i find that to be just as distracting since it always gets it wrong)?
I don’t know what a practical fair solution is but i’m also not convinced it should be treated the same as a DUI given the different levels of inherent danger
I’m good with it.
Got rear ended at a red light by an idiot uber driver playing on his phone a couple years ago.
I’ve seen all of these and they should all be prosecuted:
DWI – driving while intoxicated
DWT – driving while texting
DWES – driving while eating spaghetti
DWK – driving with knees
DWADAOG – driving while air drumming and/or guitaring
DWBJ – driving while blowjob
DWAM – driving while applying makeup
Interesting how the comments here are overwhelmingly against texting while driving, but out on the road, it feels like half the drivers are glued to their phones. Either a lot of people are being hypocritical, or there’s a weird disconnect between what people say and what they actually do. Makes you wonder.
With that said, I’d support this move as long as the enforcement is there. It’s really about enforcement. Florida law is very lenient, it’s a $30 ticket (non moving violation) for the first offense…that is all. That does have to change. But again, who’s enforcing it?
One thing I’d love to see, is the state promoting snitches via dashcam. Promote citizens to turn in video evidence of clear traffic infractions for the police to issue proper citations.
Sure, why not.
Are there enough police officers to even enforce it, though?
It’s worse, actually.
I wouldn’t object to either being subjected to public flogging.
Maybe texting + doing a certain speed comes with different charges ranging from citation/fine to felony
I work in insurance, and have seen the real world results of accidents due to distracted driving.
It’s absolutely appropriate to treat it as severely, and punish it accordingly, as driving under the influence. Full stop.
And if you’re reading this and feel a twang of guilt for checking your phone while driving, good. Don’t fucking do it again.
It is in a lot of places around the world