2009.06.29
Texting while driving will cross the legal line
Tuesday, we'll remind readers that texting while driving will become illegal in Virginia on Wednesday, when a new law goes into effect. To be effective, though, drivers will need to be aware of the change and acknowledge the dangers of inattentiveness while text-messaging.
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I'll have to admit that I did this last week during my drive home. It was a simple text, just a few words to respond to one I received while sitting at a red light, but I nearly rear-ended the person in front of me when they suddenly stopped for a car that stopped in front of them. I looked away for a moment to find the send button and that was all it took. Now, I'll have my phone locked, on silent, and flipped over in my console while I drive so I won't notice it at all. One close call is all it took.
Comment by Other John — June 29, 2009 @ 11:44 am
So sending an email on my BlackBerry while driving wouldn't violate the law, right? Only text messages?
Comment by Jack — June 29, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
I think sending e-mail is also against the law. The only exemption is for GPS devices. It just so happens, my iPhone also functions as a GPS device.
Hmmmm. (Joking. I only text or e-mail when I'm at a stoplight.)
Comment by Dan Radmacher — June 29, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
I was driving to church while texting my mistress in Argentina when someone in front of me stopped abruptly and made me spill my beer.
Comment by Henry — June 29, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
Dan,
My BlackBerry has GPS (turn-by-turn) software on it, too. I could always just claim that I am punching in a route.
So something like a TomTom you could still use while driving?
Comment by Jack — June 29, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
ROFL @ Henry #4.
Comment by Rob Miles — June 29, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
I get the point of this law, just like I get the seat belt law, and the insurance law, the licensing law, the inspection law etc. But what I don't get is why we are so concentrated on more laws for the law abiding citizens than we seem to be for the criminals who are the REAL problem. If someone was "texting" "sexting" or "pixting" while committing another offense, this could be called "reckless driving" and is already on the books, No? Enough with the infringement laws. Big Brother is turning into Big Mother and it is insulting and in the end somewhat counter productive and alienating, and you know how I hate to be alienated!
Comment by Sandi Saunders — June 30, 2009 @ 8:09 am