Decius wrote:

The law, which specifically prohibits the use of an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication while operating a more vehicle, takes effect Jan. 1.

Will they also ban reading maps and reading GPS units while stopped at a red light?

GPS units at least, tend to be on the dash. Texting in the car IS dangerous, even at stop lights. You need your mind on the road.

Jello wrote:

Decius wrote:

The law, which specifically prohibits the use of an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication while operating a more vehicle, takes effect Jan. 1.

Will they also ban reading maps and reading GPS units while stopped at a red light?

GPS units at least, tend to be on the dash. Texting in the car IS dangerous, even at stop lights. You need your mind on the road.

1. I don't agree that reading a text message is dangerous while stopped at a red light. I certainly don't need to be constantly looking at the road, and if thinking about something else is a problem, you're going to have trouble controlling that even if you ban talk radio.

2. The text of this legislation makes it a crime to read a text message anywhere that it would be a crime to drink a beer. For example, to pull over at a gas station and read a text message in a parking space with the car still running, or in a driveway with the car running... Can I get this to a point where you'd agree that it is ridiculous?

3. I don't understand the difference between reading a text message and reading a map from a safety standpoint.

Decius wrote:

Jello wrote:

Decius wrote:

The law, which specifically prohibits the use of an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication while operating a more vehicle, takes effect Jan. 1.

Will they also ban reading maps and reading GPS units while stopped at a red light?

GPS units at least, tend to be on the dash. Texting in the car IS dangerous, even at stop lights. You need your mind on the road.

1. I don't agree that reading a text message is dangerous while stopped at a red light. I certainly don't need to be constantly looking at the road, and if thinking about something else is a problem, you're going to have trouble controlling that even if you ban talk radio.

2. The text of this legislation makes it a crime to read a text message anywhere that it would be a crime to drink a beer. For example, to pull over at a gas station and read a text message in a parking space with the car still running, or in a driveway with the car running... Can I get this to a point where you'd agree that it is ridiculous?

3. I don't understand the difference between reading a text message and reading a map from a safety standpoint.

1. Reading anything longer than a few words while on the road is dangerous. Less so while at a stop light, but people tend to keep reading when the light changes so I don't have a problem with a uniform ban while on a road. Where the words are also matters. In front of the car on a billboard, not so bad... looking down into the car at a phone, bad.

2. If you're parked, you should be able to do whatever you want, up to but not limited to smoking crack + drinking whiskey + hooker blow jobs. Even with the car running, so long as you're not operating the steering/throttle controls and... moving.

3. In my experience, visual/spatial processing is less distracting than reading sentences, but audio feedback from a GPS unit is certainly preferable to reading a map. Most do that, don't they? Its a safety feature. I can drive and listen. I can't drive and read. Maybe this is just me?