Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by bkrueger on July 29, 2009 - 11:33am.
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U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan helped introduce a bill today that would prohibit texting while driving – though she admitted to reporters that she’s done it before.

“I bet everyone here has texted, and we all realize it’s dangerous,” Hagan said during a news conference on the bill, reports Barb Barrett.

The bill would require states to enact bans on texting while driving or risk losing federal funds.

It comes after research released by Virginia Tech University this week saying that drivers who text are 23 times more likely to get into a wreck. Other sponsors include Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Robert Menendez of New Jersey.

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by GiggleBox on July 29, 2009 - 5:27pm.

Pretty dumb if you ask me. Every state has a law already, called INATTENTIVE DRIVING!

Maybe they should add one about closing bold text html.

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Driving while impaired

Submitted by dlhertzberg on July 29, 2009 - 5:22pm.

I would have thought the Driving while impaired law would cover that and all the nearly blind folks riding around all night and day with there normal and bright headlights on?

I guess I have read the DWI charge is totally tossable these days.

I guess keeping ones eye's on the road and hands upon the wheel doesn't filter the roadway insanity these days. How about a double life sentence for texting with highbeams on in broad daylight?

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by sixnine on July 29, 2009 - 5:20pm.

Pretty dumb if you ask me. Every state has a law already, called INATTENTIVE DRIVING!

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by w5708 on July 29, 2009 - 3:59pm.

There is an old adage about not being able to legislate good taste...Let's see if we can do something about common sense!

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by w5708 on July 29, 2009 - 3:59pm.

There is an old adage about not being able to legislate good taste...Let's see if we can do something about common sense!

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by Penny_Wise on July 29, 2009 - 2:38pm.

Two bills at the State Level to Ban Texting:

Senate Bill 96 http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=S96

Senate Bill 22 http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=S22

Both are counterparts to House Bill 9

NYT Article on Texting while Driving http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/technology/28texting.html

N&O article that stae hands-free may be no better than using a handheld phone http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1615191.html

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by profbam on July 29, 2009 - 2:32pm.

I notice once again that the proposal is to use blackmail, loss of federal highway funds, in order to run around the 10th Amendment. Our elected representatives have such total disregard for the US Constitution! Sen. Hagan should be ashamed.

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by jcaptain on July 29, 2009 - 2:14pm.

The bill doesn't go far enough. All hand held devices (i.e phones) should be banned. Force the use of hands free devices. at 65 mph I want the person behind me looking at nothing but the road ahead. It only takes a second to slam into the car in front of you at that speed.

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by robdarich on July 29, 2009 - 1:22pm.

I get a sense from this...
A sense of what doesn't make sense.

I'll wager more accidents involve illegal aliens than text messaging - so what's that about?

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by landshark on July 29, 2009 - 1:21pm.

People! We have laws against reckless driving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by landshark on July 29, 2009 - 1:18pm.

Man! Could two more brain dead women get elected? If you text in your car, why support a bill to band it? This bill probally has ears marks out the butt!!! That's why!

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Many states already have

Submitted by swisspfau on July 29, 2009 - 1:00pm.

Many states already have this law including NC going into effect soon:

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/perdue_signs_texting_ban

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by vance203 on July 29, 2009 - 12:17pm.

Another "do as I say, not as I do" scenario. To admit doing this and then saying that everyone has done it is a lousy cop out. We need to ban this, but when owning up to something, don't bring everyone down with you. I feel so sorry for this state.

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Re: Hagan: Ban texting while driving

Submitted by nickrupp on July 29, 2009 - 11:53am.

Senator Hagan, you have my full support to ban texting while driving! Thank you....Thank you...Thank you!

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