Text Messaging While DrivingDo you do this? Send text messages while you drive? I must confess that on occasion I might do this while stopped at a stop light or while in my car before starting it. But WHILE you drive? I know a lot of people do it because I've seen them. I've also seen them full-on reading the paper, putting on make-up, curling their hair, and even smoking-talking-drinking coffee simultaneously...while driving.
The bad habit of doing other things while we're supposed to be driving has caught on with the younger generation. Apparently, in Colorado a teen caused a death because he hit and killed a cyclist while he was text messaging when he was supposed to be paying attention to the road. The article is in the extended post.
Sort of makes you think twice about multi-tasking while driving.......and about letting your kids have a cell phone, doesn't it? Perhaps I'll have to re-evaluate when Scytheboy starts driving...
Text Messaging Driver Charged in Death
The Accociated Press
Friday, December 02, 2005
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — A teenage driver faces charges in Colorado after allegedly hitting a cyclist while text messaging behind the wheel.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says the 17-year-old was charged with careless driving causing death. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison.
The victim was riding his bicycle November 23rd when he was hit by the teen's car. He died two days after the accident.
The teen has not been identified because he is a minor. Authorities say he lost control of the car because he was sending text messages on a cell phone.
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Comments
I'm such a weirdo I don't think teens should be driving AT ALL. Well, maybe 18+, but 21+ would be even better, or 30+...
What do I do? Let's see...listen to music, of course, sometimes drink coffee, sometimes put on lipstick or file nails (WHEN STOPPED!), veryvery occasionally talk on the phone. I don't really like to though and discourage peeps from calling me on my cell. I try to pay extra attention to the road cuz the drivers here are SO BAD.
I'm sure peeps think I'm a bad driver because I look for an extra second before pulling out or making a turn. And I go the speed limit, which is a sin apparently.
Posted by: Paula on December 2, 2005 12:42 PM
The average teen doesn't have the experience / cognative ability to be a good driver when focused and there is a few studies out there to back me up. Allowing them to get distracted by anything just compounds the danger of being behind the wheel. However being a car enthusiast I think every driver should spend the first year of their driving life with the radio ripped out, no distraction and learn to listen to their vehicle and keep their eyes focused on the road. But thats just my 2 cents..
Cheers.
P.
Michelle sent me.. says hi and all.. you know the drill.
Posted by: Paul Sveda on December 2, 2005 09:06 AM
Years ago, I had a blackberry for my job and would sometimes read and respond to emails at red lights. I found myself reaching for it once while I was driving at a high speed on the interstate and it started beeping at me. Luckily, I realized what I was doing. From then on, I turned it to silent before I got in the car. No email can be that important.
I'm here from Michele's! Hello!
Posted by: Mo on December 2, 2005 09:04 AM
