Americans still texting dangerously

News Type: Event — Seeded on Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:05 PM EDT

Article Source: msnbc.com

technology, msnbci, technology-science, tech-and-gadgets, driving, mobile-phones, sms, danger, accidents, text-messaging, txt

Seeded by Calvin Tang

Despite risks, many Americans send and receive text messages on mobile e-mail devices in dangerous situations, according to a survey released on Tuesday that showed 77 percent have used such a device while driving a moving car.

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Calvin Tang's Column, All of Newsvine
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2.5

2.1

{"commentId":3611525,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

Also, 11 percent of respondents said they have used such a device during a romantic moment, and 79 percent said they have used one in the bathroom, it said.

Eighteen percent have used one during a wedding, 16 percent during a funeral or memorial service and 37 percent during a graduation, it said.

I wonder what the stats look like for different combinations of said scenarios.

{"commentId":3611525,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

#1 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:05 PM EDT

{"commentId":3611808,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

I once texted my graduating friend from the bathroom where I was having a romantic moment during another friend's wedding. Does that count?

{"commentId":3611808,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"darkside"}

#1.1 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":3613987,"authorDomain":"debmassey"}

Auzziegirl

Were you the driver or the passenger!

{"commentId":3613987,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"debmassey"}

#1.2 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":3614947,"authorDomain":"osaide"}

Picaso

@ Auzziegirl

That was so damn funny!!

{"commentId":3614947,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"osaide"}

#1.3 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":3615040,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

Well, it was a long ride, so we traded up periodically.

Catholic Weddings, they take forever...

{"commentId":3615040,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"darkside"}

1 vote

#1.4 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":3616651,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

Mykola is always the passenger and his partner is in control. Trust me, I know them in real life, lol!

{"commentId":3616651,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

1 vote

#1.5 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":3616937,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

Well I wouldn't say always... ;)

{"commentId":3616937,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"darkside"}

1 vote

#1.6 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:25 PM EDT

{"commentId":3621381,"authorDomain":"palabrachos"}

palabracho

Texted a drink order to a friend while downing a beer and pissing in the urinal of the bar next door.

That's the best I could do. Not too exciting, but for me, knowing there is another drink on its way is very refreshing and to order it during a really refreshing piss made it all that much sweeter, ha!

{"commentId":3621381,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"palabrachos"}

1 vote

#1.7 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 11:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":3637119,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

knowing there is another drink on its way is very refreshing and to order it during a really refreshing piss made it all that much sweeter, ha!

Best one so far... come on folks, I know someone out there has to have one that tops this!

{"commentId":3637119,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

#1.8 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":3612594,"authorDomain":"mightyblogger"}

Pacific Northwest Blogger

You'd think by now, voice to text would eliminate the need for typing.

Where's the next big applet to do this?

{"commentId":3612594,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"mightyblogger"}

#2 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 3:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":3613771,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

A friend of mine wiped out a brick mailbox and barely missed a kid who was riding his bike when she veered off the road while texting along a residential street. People just don't understand how dangerous it could be. Just imagine if she'd struck the kid instead of the mailbox.

{"commentId":3613771,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

#3 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:45 PM EDT

{"commentId":3614161,"authorDomain":"psychotic-wanderer"}

Miss_Diagnosed

Holy crap!

I dont text... I figure if I need information that much, and I already have the phone in my hand... why the heck cant I call them?

{"commentId":3614161,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"psychotic-wanderer"}

#3.1 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":3613959,"authorDomain":"debmassey"}

Auzziegirl

If it's such a big issue, why not outlaw texting period! Because the big telecommunications companies such as AT&T, Sprint, Nextel, Verizon, etc., etc., etc., would lose money! It's always all about the almighty buck in this country. To hell with safety, or protecting your rights, they just need to sell, sell, sell, phones. Plus they charge more for taxing than normal voice communication. Yes, I'm aware there a plans where texting is included, but overall, texting costs more! They make a lot of money from this and it will never go away any time soon. It's a fad for sure.

{"commentId":3613959,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"debmassey"}

1 vote

#4 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":3631516,"authorDomain":"pointless"}

Jswen

Well since you put it that way... NO! You would also need to take the Internet off of a phone or else they would just switch to IMing. Not only that many people enjoy being able to text. There are also times when a text is more appropriate than a phone call. You might also be talking to more than one person at a time. Please don't just jump to the BAN IT!!! cries.

Sincerely

Logic

{"commentId":3631516,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"pointless"}

#4.1 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:49 PM EDT

{"commentId":3615182,"authorDomain":"ravenwing1059"}

Theresa-524711

Well this just goes to show that 77% of US citizens are either stupid, or so incredibly self absorbed that they have a flagrant disregard for the health and safetyof any other being. Since we seem to be incapable of making intelligent decisions, perhaps it is time to legislate our choices. Come On People, wake up and realize that there are consequences for our actions. Maybe the auto industry could wire into every car a system that would disable texting abilities on any cell phone inside the car.

{"commentId":3615182,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"ravenwing1059"}

1 vote

#5 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":3615703,"authorDomain":"jeffkarp"}

Dan Webster

Absolutely! It always amazes me that the most irresponsible people are also the ones who rant most about government interference in their lives, but it's their arrogant, selfish behavior that forces the need for regulation. If the vast majority of citizens possessed more than 2 nanograms of common sense when it came to distracted driving, most of the rules wouldn't be needed. Instead, we've got millions of me-first, "I can do 4 things at once" yahoos who create situations so dangerous that laws have to be passed regulating what people do with their thumbs.

Greed and selfishness don't just bring down banks. When it's on the road people get hurt ... or killed.

{"commentId":3615703,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"jeffkarp"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:19 PM EDT

{"commentId":3616621,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

Maybe the auto industry could wire into every car a system that would disable texting abilities on any cell phone inside the car.

Would you pay for such an added safety option when purchasing your next automobile? If so, how much?

{"commentId":3616621,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

#5.2 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":3617032,"authorDomain":"ravenwing1059"}

Theresa-524711

How much do we pay for airbags, and bumpers, and anti-lock brakes? But of course monetary expense is soooo much more important than the "worthless" lives that might be saved. Please, we pay more for our daily coffee's than what would be reflected in the cost of safety measures in our automobiles. By the way, how much do we pay for air conditioning, dvd players, and seat warmers?

{"commentId":3617032,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"ravenwing1059"}

1 vote

#5.3 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":3637164,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

I can *choose* not to text while driving without the theoretical text-blocker technology, but I cannot *choose* to keep my brakes from locking up during panicked-braking without anti-lock brakes.

{"commentId":3637164,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

1 vote

#5.4 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":3641222,"authorDomain":"ravenwing1059"}

Theresa-524711

So why should someone die because someone like you makes a poor choice? You seem to be awfully worried about some technology that could force you to exercise self control when it comes to texting. Is it really that important that you can't wait til you are out of your car?

{"commentId":3641222,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"ravenwing1059"}

2 votes

#5.5 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":3658498,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

Uh, okay... so, because I have *the choice* to text = people die. That's quite a jump from assumption to conclusion. I'm just saying that there are a multitude of ways people can be distracted while driving, including drinking coffee, eating, texting, fussing with the radio or GPS, looking at a garish sign.... the auto manufacturers shouldn't be tasked with preventing every conceivable cause for distraction - drivers should just pay attention.

{"commentId":3658498,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

2 votes

#5.6 - Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:14 PM EDT

{"commentId":3616512,"authorDomain":"beveridgeaj01"}

Andyb-300124

I say outlaw thumbs!

{"commentId":3616512,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"beveridgeaj01"}

1 vote

#6 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":3616629,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

Now there's the solution! And while we're at it, we can also outlaw ears, so people don't talk on the phone while driving! ;)

{"commentId":3616629,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

1 vote

#6.1 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":3616959,"authorDomain":"darkside"}

Mykola Bilokonsky

Free Market Solution: giant magnifying glass with light, and a foot pedal for your phone, for touch-toe texting. You don't need both feet to drive, right?

Warning: for use with automatic transmission only.

{"commentId":3616959,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"darkside"}

#6.2 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":3637189,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

How about a foot operated cigarette lighter?

{"commentId":3637189,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

#6.3 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":3617633,"authorDomain":"asoloboy"}

Wishful_Thinking

I have nothing to add to this.

-------
Posted via iPhone while taking a dump.

{"commentId":3617633,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"asoloboy"}

2 votes

#7 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":3637224,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

I'm grateful that you didn't add to this discussion what you had to get out. ;)

{"commentId":3637224,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

1 vote

#7.1 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":3642811,"authorDomain":"palabrachos"}

palabracho

Holy @!$%#! I have to add that, "while taking a dump" to my signature on my idump! Freaking hilarious!

Cheers!

{"commentId":3642811,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"palabrachos"}

#7.2 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":3618934,"authorDomain":"own-theory"}

own theory

The only time it is dangerous whren I text is when I'm the one driving. I really should stop doing that.

All well

{"commentId":3618934,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"own-theory"}

1 vote

#8 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:10 PM EDT

{"commentId":3620448,"authorDomain":"samvickiehardin"}

victoria66

Some of you are too funny. I never mess with my phone when I'm driving. I have a hard enough time trying to drink my morning coffee, shift my 5 speed, apply makeup, put on pantyhose, and mess with the radio at the same time. And all without spilling the coffee. Seriously, I don't like distracted drivers. Once when my oldest was driving, her cell rang, she answered and I took the phone away from her, and told the caller she was busy navigating and hung up on them. I told her to keep her eyes on the road and her ears out of the phone. It is just way too dangerous. Years ago, I was driving down a street, and a ball came bouncing out from between 2 parked cars. My first thought was, "Oh Lord, a ball, a kid." I slammed on the brakes and when the car jerked to a stop, out popped this darling little blonde boy about 4 years old running after the ball. Things happen too fast, and when you are on the phone or texting, you are taking someones life in your hands. Literally, in your hands.

{"commentId":3620448,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"samvickiehardin"}

2 votes

#9 - Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":3628642,"authorDomain":"debmassey"}

Auzziegirl

Yeah, I can relate to the coffee thing! It inevitably ends up all over my blouse - or the passenger seat - when I slam on my brakes because I'm not paying attention. I see other girls putting on makeup too! The pantyhose thing seems a little far-fetched, but I guess it's doable! I even see some people reading newspapers! The point is, they outlaw texting when everything else is just as dangerous. You win some you lose some!

{"commentId":3628642,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"debmassey"}

#9.1 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":3637284,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

Eating while driving is probably even more distracting that texting. Or, maybe they should only allow texting while driving if your phone has hard keys (instead of touchscreen). I remember being able to write a novel with my old Blackberry Pearl without once looking down at the keyboard. iPhone... forget it.

{"commentId":3637284,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

1 vote

#9.2 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":3630712,"authorDomain":"BillsCatz"}

Bills Catz

And we're going to call this "news?" Hey, blame the manufacturers who shoved this technology into millions of waiting hands. Nobody was worried about all this at the stockholders meetings for Apple and Sony...

{"commentId":3630712,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"BillsCatz"}

2 votes

#10 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:12 PM EDT

{"commentId":3637316,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

blame the manufacturers who shoved this technology into millions of waiting hands.

As a consumer, I certainly didn't put up a fight (regarding 'shoved'). Instead, I stood in line with thousands of other people, to get the phone.

{"commentId":3637316,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

1 vote

#10.1 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:37 PM EDT

{"commentId":3635005,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

These problems will go away when we have autonomously-driven cars in 10-15 years.

{"commentId":3635005,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

1 vote

#11 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":3639284,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

I gotta say Calvin, there were times in St. Paul that I was a tad fearful of my life when you were seemingly spending more time with the map on your iPhone than you were the actual road. I think at some points you may have been texting people as well, but I'm not certain ;-)

{"commentId":3639284,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

1 vote

#12 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 7:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":3658530,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

Those were emails... :P

{"commentId":3658530,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"tang"}

#12.1 - Thu Oct 23, 2008 5:16 PM EDT

{"commentId":3641306,"authorDomain":"own-theory"}

own theory

Heres a thought

voice texting. speak what you want to text when driving or busy. you could even say who you want to text and say send or whatever you need to

{"commentId":3641306,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"own-theory"}

#13 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":3642967,"authorDomain":"samvickiehardin"}

victoria66

Don't worry, I am sure the Japanese have already invented voice texting, it just isn't out on the market yet. Just wait for the media hype.

{"commentId":3642967,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"samvickiehardin"}

1 vote

#14 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":3656366,"authorDomain":"own-theory"}

own theory

Yay I cant wait.

(not really I like he way it is now) Hee Hee Hee

{"commentId":3656366,"threadId":"394936","contentId":"2023978","authorDomain":"own-theory"}

#14.1 - Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:30 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"394936","isPrivate":false}

CALVIN TANG

Backyard

Americans still texting dangerously

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