topic Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences in Community Chat

Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Oznell — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:05:40 GMT

The recent high-profile bus crash in Texas was apparently caused by a truck driver who was texting. The actor James Woods tweeted out that those who text and cause accidents should be subject to the same penalties as those who drive while intoxicated.

I agree completely. Would it be harder to verify, though, if the driver did not admit what he/she had been doing?

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

sunshine45 — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:08:30 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
The recent high-profile bus crash in Texas was apparently caused by a truck driver who was texting. The actor James Woods tweeted out that those who text and cause accidents should be subject to the same penalties as those who drive while intoxicated.

I agree completely. Would it be harder to verify, though, if the driver did not admit what he/she had been doing?

unfortunately the penalties for driving while intoxicated are not strong enough, especially for a first offense.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

QVCkitty1 — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:09:58 GMT

I don't usually agree with anything James Woods says ever, but there had better be consequences. The driver admitted to texting, there has to be jail time, he is a killer.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Marp — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 05:14:59 GMT

I've read a number of articles about crashes where texting was a suspected contributory cause and the phones were checked.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

ccassaday — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:14:35 GMT

Its not hard to prove. All they have to do is get a warrant to check the phone.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Shanus — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:15:15 GMT

@Oznell. I assume if someone crashed his car while texting, phone may be on floor or seat. Police could ck. last text that went out, right?

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Shanus — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:19:30 GMT

@QVCkitty1. Whether he was texting, fell asleep at the wheel or drinking a Pepsi, there's a law about vehicular manslaughter. That definitely has jail time.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Kachina624 — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:22:32 GMT

Can you believe texting while driving is not even illegal in Texas? I bet it will be soon. Lock the barn after the horse is stolen.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Oznell — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:27:12 GMT

Oh, that's very good to know, Shanus. I was wondering also if there had to be specific statutes against texting while driving, but it sounds like that isn't even necessary if an accident can be shown to be caused by carelessness or negligence etc.

It is very concerning, since we do notice vehicles wobbling and weaving on the road and I assume a good percentage of those are due to illicit texting and even plain distracted phoning while driving...

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

ccassaday — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 01:38:39 GMT

There doesn't need to be rules for texting and driving. It's already law that if you cause a accident while driving it is negligence at the least. The law is dumb because you can't enforce it until a accident happens.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Kachina624 — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 02:04:22 GMT

@ccassaday wrote:
There doesn't need to be rules for texting and driving. It's already law that if you cause a accident while driving it is negligence at the least. The law is dumb because you can't enforce it until a accident happens.

@ccassaday Of course cops can enforce a no texting law. Don't you see people texting? I do and so can the cops who can give a ticket if there is a "no texting" law. They should not have to wait until there is an accident to enforce no texting.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Lucky Charm — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 02:12:55 GMT

It is unbelievable how many people I see texting and driving.

Their heads are down or cocked sideways and they are hardly paying attention to the road.

They actually drive slower than the speed limit I guess because they're so into their phones.

It aggravates me to no end. And that's not a good thing.

I don't see how they'll ever be able to enforce the no texting laws. I'd say one out of every six or seven cars has someone texting.

Once out in Chicago, during a huge snowstorm, a snow plow truck as high as a house was coming around a corner. The driver had his window open all the way and he was freaking texting. Blanking idiot.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

viva923 — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 02:20:19 GMT

when i heard about this case of texting while driving i was so upset and angry.

then i thought of that case a few years ago. The rich 16 yr old who killed several people while drunk. Family was wealthy and kid got off with a slap on the hand. Mom and kid take off to Mexico. They were finally found a year or so later. I believe mom is in jail here in the US but can't remember what happened to the kid.

I do hope the law will work properly in this case.

texting and driving do not mix what so ever

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

sidsmom — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 02:37:17 GMT

Jody Kuchler, the witness who was following Jack Dillon Young,

took pics/video of Young's vehicle while driving, and the white truck

crossed over the median line...almost on the shoulder of the

opposite lane. I would guess there was more than texting

causing Young's erratic driving. My speculation..alcohol, narcotics.

As a sidenote...even though Jody Kuchler will be lauded as a

heroic witness, it's extremely ironic HE was driving while

using his cell phone....to take pictures & video.

Hummmm. A bit of a goose-gander thing.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Lucky Charm — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 02:37:01 GMT

My DDIL was pregnant and hit by a drunk driver head on.

Thank goodness my DIL wasn't badly injured and the baby checked out fine, too!

I asked my DIL if they asked about phones and she said no. I don't know if they didn't bother because she was rushed off in an ambulance or because the other driver was clearly drunk.

But I think they should've asked her regardless to see her phone. And they did come in to interview her in the hospital during the middle of the night.

In an accident investigation, everyone should be suspect about everything, especially texting, if you ask me.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Spurt — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 04:27:03 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Can you believe texting while driving is not even illegal in Texas? I bet it will be soon. Lock the barn after the horse is stolen.

@Kachina624

Not entirely true....while there is no State law, each municipality/county can pass their own ordinances banning texting while driving. ....Here in San Antonio we DO have a law against driving and texting..passed unamimously in 2014 and went into effect in 2015, .but I can tell you....you would hardly know it because people still text and drive....if a cop catches them they do get fined and must go before a judge....

Using a cell phone while driving is incredibly dangerous and should be illegal, and as such, many Texas cities have taken the initiative to ban the dangerous practice within their jurisdictions. These cities include: Alamo, Alice, Amarillo, Angleton, Anthony, Aransas Pass, Argyle, Arlington, Austin, Balcones Heights, Bedford, Bee Cave, Bellaire, Big Lake, Boerne, Brazoria, Brownsville, Buda, Canyon, Castle Hills, College Station, Conroe, Converse, Corpus Christi, Deer Park, Denton, Edinburg, El Paso, Farmers Branch, Floresville, Fredericksburg, Galveston, Garden Ridge, Grand Prairie, Groesbeck, Harlingen, Helotes, Hereford, Hill Country Village, Hurst, Jacksonville, Kingsville, Kyle, Laguna Vista, Lake Dallas, Lake Tanglewood, Lakeway, Laredo, Liberty Hill, Little Elm, Lockhart, Magnolia, Maypearl, McAllen, Meadowlakes, Midland, Midlothian, Mission, Missouri City, Mont Belvieu, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, Nacogdoches, New Braunfels, Nolanville, Overton, Palmview, Pampa, Pecos, Penitas, Pharr, Port Aransas, Richwood, Rowlett, San Angelo, San Antonio, San Benito, San Juan, San Marcos, Schertz, Seagoville, Seguin, Selma, Shoreacres, Sinton, Snyder, Socorro, Stephenville, Sugar Land, Sunnyvale, Sunset Valley, Sweetwater, Tomball, University City, Watauga, West Lake Hills, West University Place, White Settlement, Wichita Falls, Wimberley, and Windcrest. Several other cities are currently looking at passing similar measures.

http://www.jrlawfirm.com/blog/texas-texting-and-driving-laws-by-city/#hands-free

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Kachina624 — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 04:11:46 GMT

@Spurt I don't see Houston or Harris Co. on your list. Of all the places that need it....

I can't even text while the car is not running. I don't know how people do it on those tiny keyboards. I guess some aren't very good at it.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

Spurt — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 04:25:33 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Spurt I don't see Houston or Harris Co. on your list. Of all the places that need it....

I can't even text while the car is not running. I don't know how people do it on those tiny keyboards. I guess some aren't very good at it.

@Kachina624

Well Kachina...there ya go....that's H town for ya ...... And yes with all the traffic congestion and problems that the've become famous for you'd think that they'd be one of the first cities to pass a law!!!! But well....that arent exactly known as a city with common sense....

A relative lives up in the northeast....and he said his friends are selling their home and moving to Houston to be near their grandchildren.....he tried to warn them, move anywhere in Texas, but Houston and tried to tell them of all the pitfalls...I'm wondering how long before they move back up north....

But your right after this tragic accident, which was given national attention, I bet the current governor finally gets a State law passed.....Personally it just amazes me how people can't stay away from their phones for even a brief period of time -----can't they wait until they arrive at their destination before they start texting....!!!!

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

itiswhatitis — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 04:22:05 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@QVCkitty1. Whether he was texting, fell asleep at the wheel or drinking a Pepsi, there's a law about vehicular manslaughter. That definitely has jail time.

@Shanus many people who cause deaths in car accidents get no jail time.

Re: Texting Has Deadly Consequences

ccassaday — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 04:34:34 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@ccassaday wrote:
There doesn't need to be rules for texting and driving. It's already law that if you cause a accident while driving it is negligence at the least. The law is dumb because you can't enforce it until a accident happens.
@ccassaday Of course cops can enforce a no texting law. Don't you see people texting? I do and so can the cops who can give a ticket if there is a "no texting" law. They should not have to wait until there is an accident to enforce no texting.

It isn't enforceable. Say a cop pulls you over. You shove your phone in your purse real quick or in the console. If they ask you say no. They have no right to ask to look at your phone without a warrant.