Obama bans gov't workers from texting while driving

[sabra]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Oct 1 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday signed an order banning federal workers from text messaging while driving on official business or using government vehicles.

"With nearly three million civilian employees, the federal government can and should demonstrate leadership in reducing the dangers of text messaging while driving," said the executive order.

It said recent deadly crashes involving drivers distracted by text messaging highlight a growing danger on the road.

"Text messaging causes drivers to take their eyes off the road and at least one hand off the steering wheel, endangering both themselves and others," it said.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01286876.htm

[DesertFlower]

1. i find it amazing that we need a ban.

are people too stupid to realize that's it's dangerous.

[gatorboy]

15. Yes.

You wouldn't believe the amount of people that I've seen in forums exclaim, "I text and drive all the time and haven't had an accident....."



Yet.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. Pukes twisting this to hit him over the head with it in 4...3...2.... nt

[LisaM]

3. Good, good, yay, yay!

Cell phones next.

This is GOOD change.

[WriteDown]

8. And this will be enforced how?

[LisaM]

10. Well, the first thing is to get the law into place

define penalties, etc. Then go from there.

If someone has an accident while texting, that can easily be checked - and that can be grounds for enforcing whatever the penalty is.

I think just having the law will deter some people - but people have to understand that you cannot be on the phone and texting all the time while you're driving. There are people now who have been doing this for as long as they've been driving. It's nuts.

[WriteDown]

11. Cell phone use w/o a headset is already illegal in NY and CA

But if you look on the road, everyone is using cell phones. Like those laws, this will never be enforced either due to lack of ability or just not caring enough to do so.

[LisaM]

13. It's illegal in Washington too but it has to be a secondary offense

I don't support that. I want it to be ticketable if they see you doing it. I almost got hit a few weeks ago when I was jogging by someone talking on a cell phone, and a week or two after that I saw another yakking driver not only nearly cause an accident - she didn't even notice what had happened and just sped on.

[monmouth]

4. Dear god, wouldn't you think this was a given?...n/t

[napi21]

5. GOOD! It should be illegal everywhere! I will admit that I

used to put on my makeup while driving to work, but I was sitting in bumper to bumper traffic st the time (every morning) so there was never any risk to anyone. I think people should not be allowd to talk on a cell phone while driving. Obviously it depends on the conversation, but I can sure see where the driver's conversation would be on the phone conversation than on paying attention to the road!

[BlueIdaho]

6. NEVER underestimte the power of stupid. nt.

[JonQ]

7. Is it not alread illegal?

If not, why?

[truedelphi]

18. Just saw a segment on CBS or NBC news

Some states have already outlawed it. Others states ahaven't.

A woman in Utah whose daughter was killed when a nineteen year old rushed through an intersection despite the red light - that mother is helping to see it that it becomes illegal everywhere.

According to the report - a very scary TWENTY TWO PER CCNT OF ALL ACCIDENTS ARE FROM TEXTING!

[Vidar]

9. OK

[phasma ex machina]

12. Must be a yearning deep in the human heart ...

to stop other people from doing as they please. Rules, laws - always for other fellow. A murky part of us, something we had before we came down out of trees, and failed to shuck when we stood up. Because not one of those people said: "Please pass this so that I won't be able to do something I know I should stop." Nyet, tovarishchee, was always something they hated to see neighbors doing. Stop them "for their own good" - not because speaker claimed to be harmed by it. - "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress"

[Nihil]

21. Congratulations!

There's always one dipstick to chime in and defend the indefensible.
This time, it's you!
Enjoy your stay.

[phasma ex machina]

22. Thank you for caring. nt

[CreekDog]

14. Yes, in fact they sent a text message to all employees out in the field

[placton]

16. at last - change we can believe in!

no health care PO, 2 wars, but our public scold says no texting! What would we do without Mr. Obama?

[Sirveri]

17. but texting is easier to hide than talking on the phone!

It's simple, cops can see you with a cell phone up against your ear. But texting can be done from your lap, all you have to do is look down. A lot.

[lib2DaBone]

19. You mean texting at 70MPH is dangerous? Who would have thought...?

[IndianaGreen]

20. How about an executive order stopping the discharge of LGBT servicemembers?

This is nothing more than bullshit PR!