By Miami Student

April 27, 2010 4:42 PM | Link to this

I think more than just a law needs to be put in place. Check out the video I made about the dangers of Texting and Driving. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs7mtGB-_4U

By Buy Ambien

April 5, 2010 9:13 AM | Link to this

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By Kettering Mom

March 12, 2010 9:08 AM | Link to this

Ok…everyone is making good points about putting on make-up, eating, reading, and dealing w/ kids while driving. But if you go to Oprah Winfrey’s website and read about or watch the episode she had on about Texting and driving it’s heartbreaking and it explains everything WHY YOU SHOULDN’T TEXT & DRIVE!!! I used to do it all the time and sometimes I do still have to but I try not too. The state and other state have looked into the causes of accidents and this is why they are trying to pass a law about texting and driving. Because texting and driving has actually killed more people than drinking and driving. Here are some facts about texting and driving: If you drive you are always chancing of getting in a wreck, but if you drink & drive you have 4 times more of a chance of getting in a wreck & if you talk on the phone & drive you also have 4 times more of a chance of getting in a wreck, BUT if you TEXT & DRIVE you are 8 times more likely to get in a wreck! This is very true! SO w/ that said….everyone stop griping about Ohio making a new law…obviously they know more than we do because that’s why there making the law…yeah there are a lot of things that can distract you from driving but TEXTING & DRIVING is obviously one that has hurt and killed a lot of people in accidents.

By freddiemac

March 11, 2010 7:28 PM | Link to this

What about putting on your makeup while driving? Rooting through your bag of fast food to grab your sandwich while driving? Reading the paper or a book while driving? Playing/talking to/disciplining your kids while driving? And the list goes on and on. These are all things I’ve seen others do while driving. Why are we focusing solely on texting when there are so many others things drivers do that distract them from the task at hand?

By yo i want mcdonalds breakfast right now

March 10, 2010 10:47 PM | Link to this

im glad this is passed. so many people are injured in car accidents involving cell phones and hopefully this could cut down on this. atleast a little bit….maybe???

By jack

March 10, 2010 10:35 PM | Link to this

Hey Annette… REALLY!

By laughing

March 10, 2010 8:22 PM | Link to this

I agree with the no texting while driving. Let’s face it people whether we like it or not, it’s dangerous! We can make up all the excuses why it shouldn’t be a law or why there should be a law against everything else but get over it, they pick which ones to enforce and we need to just deal with it. But on another note…….. a lot of these comments are toooooo funny!(and most of them have a point) I love them!

By ssbn

March 10, 2010 5:27 PM | Link to this

if a person is “texting” and gets into a wreck causing the “texter” physical injury. Then, I guess I should pull over and “text” 911. I might get through, I might not. In any event, the “texter” that caused the wreck and got hurt will have to wait until the 911 operator “texted” me back.

By theshawn

March 10, 2010 4:51 PM | Link to this

While I apprectiate the sentiment, this law will do nothing but give police more reasons to pull someone over. How will they know you are not dialing a number and not texting? Or just looking at your phone?

By kurt

March 10, 2010 4:07 PM | Link to this

Sorry Annette,but it isn’t YOU we’re worried about.When you’re driving—-you’re DRIVING—-nothing gives you the right to imperil anyone’s life.not even a million dollard business deal

By Annette

March 10, 2010 3:49 PM | Link to this

First, please quit trying to save me from myself. I’ve had a phone in my car, and use it, since 1990 & never had a problem. Children in cars are the main distraction for drivers - can we out law that?? Second, is this really what our country needs to worry about right now? Really??

By Nikki

March 10, 2010 3:43 PM | Link to this

Does this go for the pigs that key in liscense plate numbers to pull us over too? I guess they can’t check for a warrant until after they get us to the side of the road. =)

By BS

March 10, 2010 3:32 PM | Link to this

Totally impossible to enforce. In the court of law, proof has to be shown that the person was actually texting. And since cell phone use is not against the law, the person can actually say that they were “dialing a phone number” and that be OK? and i dont’ want to hear about the money generated. How much money has been generated from the BOGUS RED-LIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS? or should i say how much has been collected. Fact: if people don’t feel the need/want to pay, we won’t!!!

By andrew

March 10, 2010 3:20 PM | Link to this

OK one more thought… I have a two year old daughter that I find massively distracting while driving (in a good way). I have been considering getting one of those “baby on board” signs and putting a “driver very distracted by” bumper sticker in front of it.

By mdizzie

March 10, 2010 2:11 PM | Link to this

I have never been in an car accident * knock on wood* but driving through FL, I was never so scared in my life. Florida drivers are the worst. Period. What about people who need a phone for driving? Would hands free be allowed under the law?

By defleper

March 10, 2010 1:35 PM | Link to this

i wonder if i turn my radio down and stop singing, will the government still let me tweet while driving? funny bumper stickers and pretty women distract me more than texting does, so i think they should outlaw both of them.

By Good Point!!

March 10, 2010 1:34 PM | Link to this

Andrew brings a very valid point to the table. I chuckled-but good point!

By Ron

March 10, 2010 1:18 PM | Link to this

I think there should be a Federal law against Federal laws. Speaking about school funding, your districts money would do a much better job without funneling it through the Dept. Of (non)Education first. And…it’s a stupid law by stupid people for stupid people.

By Andrew

March 10, 2010 1:02 PM | Link to this

slightly off topic, but relevant…have you ever noticed that the phone number for reporting drunk drivers is 1-800-GRABDUI? Uhmmm…if I am reporting a drunk and have to interpret GRABDUI on my key-pad am I breaking the law?

By John

March 10, 2010 12:50 PM | Link to this

I think there should be a Federal Law against all eating, cell phone, reading and etc and the result should be loss of driving priveledges for five years and a fine of $1,000 and a year in jail. Here in Florida I see almost every driver using a cell phone and have experienced a reall close accident at least once sometimes twice a week.

By Joe

March 10, 2010 12:17 PM | Link to this

This law is all wrong, for many reasons! If the issue is distrated driving (which I believe is the REAL issue), then all behavior which causes distracted driving needs to be banned. This would include at least the following: - reading a book - Shaving - putting on makeup - Taking care of kids in front or back seat - Eating - Smoking. - etc. The issue is ‘distracted driving’ not texting!.

By JFC

March 10, 2010 12:04 PM | Link to this

Chris, like that would happen. Just like the lotteries were suppose to go to the schools. Wise up

By painfultruth

March 10, 2010 12:00 PM | Link to this

Worry not, as the law is virtually impossible to enforce. All one has to do is to look around and see if a cop is close by. I agree that people should not text and drive, however it’s already been said and shown in states that have bans, nearly 90% of people ignore the law. Laws like this do nothing but make someone feel good about a new law. They can’t stop stupidity.

By Chris

March 10, 2010 11:53 AM | Link to this

@ JFC “Oh my dont they have better things to do besides make more laws for example figure out ways to pay for schools hmmm” ^^ are you serious? the fines generated from the new law will go towards Ohio public schools. Wow….

By larry

March 10, 2010 11:51 AM | Link to this

First of all, It is against the law to watch tv while driving. Any dealer that installs a tv that is visable to the driver from his/her seat is prohibited. I would also love to see the banning of cell phones while driving and the fines should be 10 times higher so people will think twice

By Emmett Thornton Beaver

March 10, 2010 11:50 AM | Link to this

And you can’t have your wipers on while your getting a text unless your headlights are on-

By Emmett Thornton Beaver

March 10, 2010 11:49 AM | Link to this

And you can’t have your wipers on while your getting a text unless your headlights are on-

By Northmont mom

March 10, 2010 11:37 AM | Link to this

Stiff laws and penalties need to be passed on all cell phone use. Friends husband was just recently killed by someone on cell phone.She is now up for Manslaughter.It is a shame it needs to come to such consequences. So many families torn over something that should not be going on.

By its unbelievable

March 10, 2010 11:37 AM | Link to this

that’s great that you shouldn’t text while driving, but Imagine its ok to put on makeup,eat a full course meal, run quarterly reports,read the current best seller, etc…..try driving the vehicle responsibly for a change….and for God’s sake, slow down…..

By Go and text no more

March 10, 2010 11:36 AM | Link to this

This will be huge. There are hundreds of thousands of “texters” out there. The state will make all the deficit money they need. Next go for the cell users.

By Wombatstew

March 10, 2010 11:36 AM | Link to this

How can they prove your texting unless you can visibly see your phone?

By jfc

March 10, 2010 11:31 AM | Link to this

Oh my dont they have better things to do besides make more laws for example figure out ways to pay for schools hmmm

By Common Sense

March 10, 2010 11:30 AM | Link to this

I am glad they are making texting a primary offense if this passes. However, talking on a cell phone is another thing. Do you talk to your passengers? Bet you do, which is the same thing. Common sense, it is free, but, more valuable than anything else, USE IT!

By Joe D

March 10, 2010 11:28 AM | Link to this

Just yesterday morning, I was waiting to left a left turn, the light changed to green, driver in a white pick-up was reading something, after 10 seconds he decided to drive forward….looked like he was reading a bible…was still reading as he went through intersection…

By clp

March 10, 2010 11:24 AM | Link to this

There are already laws prohibiting reckless operation. Another law, and so specifically targeted, is redundant and foolish. Will they now also make a law (or six) against driving while eating, watching DVDs, reading, screaming at the kids, etc., etc.?

By Too many laws

March 10, 2010 10:53 AM | Link to this

To Mark Erratic, illegal roadway behavior is already a primary offense. It shouldn’t matter what the driver is doing, testing,watching TV, or eating a McNugget. They should be pulled over and ticketed for failure to control. Period. Too many “nanny state” laws.

By scoobydo

March 10, 2010 10:45 AM | Link to this

You worry about spending money, how about this the state has spent $3.2 million to impose $1.2 million in fines on violators of Ohio’s smoking ban. Republican state Sen. Bill Seitz of Cincinnati says the state’s $2 million net cost of enforcing the law is money that would be better spent, Talk about a waste. Ban all talking on cell phones from moving cars period. You want to talk pull over and talk, you want to drive, hang up and drive.

By thankful

March 10, 2010 10:40 AM | Link to this

So glad something is finally being done to curb what should be considered one of the stupidest and most dangerous activities to do while driving. Unfortunately, many people engage in texting while driving without even giving a second thought as to how dangerous it is. I wonder why these people never thought to write a letter while driving before texting was available? THAT would be too dangerous but texting on your teeny cellphone isn’t?

By Lea

March 10, 2010 10:39 AM | Link to this

I’m not throwing stones here but I agree. The “hang up and drive” campaign did nothing, if this becomes a primary offense it will be better. People need to learn what I have - a cell conversation gets weird while driving because I am paying MORE attention to the ROAD!!!

By waste of time and money

March 10, 2010 10:38 AM | Link to this

It cost a million dollars+ a week for the state congress and senate to run (budget). Good to see that our tax dollars going to work for us on unenforceable laws.

By F3

March 10, 2010 10:37 AM | Link to this

I agree but I also think we should add a ban on watching TV while driving. I have seen this too many times and obviously if someone is watching TV they aren’t focused on driving. Bottom line: When you get behind the wheel driving should be your only purpose.

By Mark

March 10, 2010 10:27 AM | Link to this

The legislature needs to pass a ban on all cell phone use while driving. All to often, when I observe erratic, illegal roadway behavior, the person behind the wheel is yakking on a cell.