Texting While Driving...

Updated on January 30, 2011
L.P. asks from Uniontown, PA
58 answers

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So What Happened?

I used to a little, but stopped.

Featured Answers

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

No. Texting kills. There are actual studies that prove it. Some people believe they can get away with it, and they do – until that moment when they don't.

I will not participate in a practice that could result in tragedy for myself or some other innocent family.

I won't play Russian Roulette with a gun loaded with only one bullet, either.

8 moms found this helpful
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O.D.

answers from Philadelphia on

No. I see people doing it and I said that I will start taking license plate numbers and call the police for this. So many times they were going to bump into us or someone else. Whoever does that, needs a wake up call.

4 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

NOPE. I have a newly licensed teen and it is my job to model for her what you do and don't do when driving.

When I am alone.... I might look at the phone at a light but not text, etc. I am one of those who pull over to take care of business.

4 moms found this helpful

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L.L.

answers from Hartford on

Ha ha ha..... I can't even text while seated on the couch.

12 moms found this helpful
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A.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

Never. And the people who think they do it "responsibly" are stupid to think they are above the law. I just hope it doesn't take hitting and killing a member of my family to wake them up.

8 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

I use a manual transmission, if I could figure out how to grow a third arm, I might try it.

On the highway while not shifting, I speed, I enjoy driving (ok speeding) very much on the highway. No phones for me, I'm too busy weaving around the idiot going 70 in the left lane, sigh.

I do however wonder about my kids (all teenagers, only 1 with a permit). How they will adjust to not using their phones for ANYTHING while driving. But I suppose since they do it all day long at school.....

I will say, while NOT driving I have exchanged MANY MANY texts with people I know ARE driving.

In our area recently 3 teenaged girls (all seniors in the same high school) were killed during an accident caused by the driver texting on the highway. Remember when we only had to worry about them drinking and driving? sigh.

:)

6 moms found this helpful

E.A.

answers from Erie on

There is no way to safely text and drive, but I won't bother flaming someone who is too ignorant to realize that, b/c it wouldn't do any good. Tell me if you can watch this and still decide to put OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER:
http://www.break.com/index/dont-text-and-drive.html
I do not. I do, however, check my phone at certain traffic lights that I know are especially long.

5 moms found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Sacramento on

nope... it takes me forever to text a simple sentence. There's no way I could drive too!

5 moms found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Springfield on

Definately not! Especially, when my son is in the car! And for the record to a previous reply, there is not such thing as safely driving while texting!!! Texting kills!

Updated

Texting kills!!! And no I don't.

4 moms found this helpful

D.M.

answers from Denver on

nope

p.s. I usually put my bag in the trunk when I am going home in the evening (with phone in bag). In the morning, I put it on the floor of the back seat when I put a kid in.

So ...I pretty much make it impossible for me to do stupid phone tricks.

4 moms found this helpful
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T.E.

answers from York on

NO!!! - it's extremely dangerous! NOTHING is worth the life you may take by doing this!!

4 moms found this helpful
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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

4 moms found this helpful
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L.A.

answers from Minneapolis on

NONONO!!! I saw a car accident recently where the girl was texting while driving......not good. Luckily both people were fine, their cars were not. Had it been me she hit, instead of the other guy (by just a second) she would have killed my daughter.
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! Not worth it!

4 moms found this helpful
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F.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

absolutely not....there is nothing so important that it can't wait until I stop my car.

3 moms found this helpful
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L.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Nope-don't even have my phone near me-Kids are my top priority-texts and calls can wait :) L.

3 moms found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

Hell no 1,000 times over. I cherish my life and would not want to be respon-
sible for ending the life of someone else.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Only at a stop light!! But now I have to stop because they passed a law in Kansas, and I'm afraid Oprah will pull up next to me!! Just kidding, I am not a fan of it, especially where kids are involved. We have to make a good impression on them, it is too distracting.

3 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

Nope... only if I am stopped at a long red light and only if it's an emergency otherwise I pull over. Too many deaths and accidents... it's not worth the risk for my life, my children's or anyone else who may be injured due to my carelessness.

3 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Worse. I use maps while driving.

3 moms found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Boston on

No. Not only do I personally think it's ridiculously dangerous, I am a school bus driver, and if I get ticketed for it, whether in my bus or a personal vehicle, I am subject to losing my job, my drivers license and paying a $2500 fine.

3 moms found this helpful

L.F.

answers from Dallas on

Not anymore. Too dangerous. The only SAFE way to do it is if the passenger does it for you.

3 moms found this helpful
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J.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

Never! It drives me crazy when I see people doing it or even talking on their phones instead of paying full attention to the road and other drivers. I can wait until I'm parked or at home to use my phone. When I look around and see all the adults on their phones while driving I think this is what our children are going to think is an ok thing if an adult is doing it.

3 moms found this helpful
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C.O.

answers from Chicago on

yes. and i do it safely. flame away =)

3 moms found this helpful
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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

Nope....but my cellphone is only ever ON when I need to make a call :)

3 moms found this helpful
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J.N.

answers from Salt Lake City on

At the stoplight, and put it down when the light turned green. But in general, no.

No conversation is worth your life (or somebody else's). If it's urgent, pull over. Even talking on the phone can be as hindering as driving under the influence, and its less distracting than texting.

Over the last few years, several local accidents have been caused by someone texting (usually a teen, but that doesn't really matter). They were actually charged with vehicular homicide. Ouch!

2 moms found this helpful

E.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

No. I can barely text while sitting still. Besides, it is illegal here. In fact, I rarely answer my cell phone when driving...

2 moms found this helpful
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L.B.

answers from Stockton on

Nope. Tempting though when I hear the phone go off so I put it on vibrate. My husband? Yes, and it drives me crazy. I won't let him do it when I'm with him!

2 moms found this helpful
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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

NO. I've done it at redlights, but not while the car is moving, and I haven't even done it at red lights lately. I know someone who was in an accident - a 50 year old sales guy - luckily no one was hurt, but his car was totalled. He knew better, did it anyway, and hasn't done it since. I won't do it either. It's stupid and dangerous.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have but I'm really trying to stop. It's so dangerous. A friend was texting and she ran over a little dog and killed it. My hubby pointed out to her that she was really lucky and that little dog could have been a little kid chasing after a ball. It's so dangerous...but so tempting! I'm really trying to stop.

2 moms found this helpful

C.F.

answers from Boston on

Yes...... ONLY when DS is NOT in the car w/ me

2 moms found this helpful

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

i have. when there's no traffic. and i'm on a straight stretch of road. and it's not bad weather lol. and that's pretty much the god's truth. i am proud to say!

(and ladies, let's not be too self-riteous and smug - i guarantee that all of us have zipped right on past the speed limit, changed lanes or turned without signalling, pulled out in front of someone, rolled through a stop sign...come on. also dangerous, self absorbed, and stupid! none of us is perfect!)

2 moms found this helpful
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N.A.

answers from Dallas on

A few months ago I made the vow not too. I was doing well for about one month and now I am guilty. I have tried to just do it at long stop lights if I HAVE too.
But in reality, I need to just stop all the way around.
Thanks for bringing this up. I was just thinking about this issue again the other day, so here is confirmation that I should really stop.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

No...if I have to, it's while I'm stopped at a light-even then, I put the phone down even if I haven't finished. I am especially against doing it with kids in the car because I don't want them to think it's ok-do as I say not as I do sort of thing.

2 moms found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Iowa City on

Nope. I have been known to text if I am stuck in traffic due to an accident but not when the vehicle is actually moving.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

Nope, never. And I don't talk on my cell while driving either b/c it's so dangerous.

2 moms found this helpful
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R.F.

answers from Dallas on

I'll be honest - guilty.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

I'm guilty.

I do.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

I used to at red lights. However, with the new law in effect in DE. I don't even turn my phone on anymore as I don't have a hands free device & the majority of my commute is in DE.

2 moms found this helpful
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R..

answers from Chattanooga on

I only text if I'm stopped at a light. Otherwise I pull over. I won't even talk on the phone while driving. I had a cousin blow through a stop sign because he was texting. He plowed right into a semi trailer, killing his girlfriend and himself, and severely injuring his little brother. The car they had been in just happened to be towed to the garage that was right next door to my house. After seeing what can happen firsthand, it's just not worth it to me.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Wichita on

I do at traffic lights, but I dont even like texting normally, I just know my mom will keep sending them if I dont read and call her back right away. Very annoying.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have but I try to pull over or do it at red lights mostly. It's SO dangerous!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

No. I also don't talk on my phone unless I am stopped (not at a light - like actually stopped).

I drove to the zoo today. EVERY time someone did something stupid driving around me they were on their phone... either talking or texting. You can tell.

No offense to anyone but people who say they can do both safely are in their own world.

J.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

If i am at a red light. When my kids are in the car they text for me.

1 mom found this helpful

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

ok so I will be 100% truthful here....
Yeah, but not all the time.
My phone has a keyboard and I can pretty much text by knowing the keys and not looking at them. So My eyes aren't technicially off the road no more then the time it takes to look at your child in the back seat.
With all that being said I used to drive and text and talk 100% of the time. If I wasn't doing one, I was doing the other. Then California started enforcing the laws. I really try not to, but I won't lie, it happens sometimes.

1 mom found this helpful

D.D.

answers from Chicago on

At stoplights I do. I have caught myself doing it a couple of times and then realize I shouldn't and put my phone down. I really try not to.

1 mom found this helpful

☼.S.

answers from San Diego on

If a text comes in while I'm driving, I'll read it at a red light. But I never respond while in the car.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Allentown on

No way, I won't even answer my phone when driving. What could be so important that I'd risk an accident? What annoys me most is women in massive SUVs talking or texting -- they feel safe because they're WAAAY up there, but they are putting everyone's life around them at risk. How did our mothers, with 5 kids, parents etc manage to run busy lives without phones but we feel we are so busy and important that we can't turn it off while driving??!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

Honestly? No. Not even a little.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Columbus on

I find it interesting how many that answered yes try to justify it. "Yes, but only if..."
In my personal opinion, there is absolutely no justification for texting while driving. Your phone call or message is NOT more important. You are operating a 2 ton machine. How can you do that with your mind on your phone? How is your message more important than my family or better yet, your own? I try really hard in my daily life not to be judgemental & live & let live. But, this is one area that burns me up. We take our lives, the lives of our children, and even the lives of our neighbors in our hands every time we get behind the wheel. I admit to not being the best driver, but my hands & my mind are on driving, not my phone & who might be calling me.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Huntsville on

Occasionally I will if I've just stopped at a light that I know I'll have a bit of time to send a quick answer to something. But while the car is moving, nope. My phone pretty much requires 2 hands to type on the keyboard. Can't hold it in one hand & push buttons very well! lol

1 mom found this helpful

L.S.

answers from Dallas on

Im not a great driver with out texting so I def don't! haha! I may read a text at a stop light though. My mom drives me crazy bc I have told her I cant text in drive and as soon as I head to her house I will text her and say Im on my way over and she will text me like 20 times before I get there! (10min drive) I dont text any of my loved ones if I know they are driving. Once I was driving and a car in front of me in another lane was swerving back and forth while texting, I honked at them before I passed so they would at least look up. It made me so mad so when I got home I was telling my 17 yo brother the story and he got mad at me. He said you shouldn't do that it scares the driver and could make them wreck, people do that to me all the time! I was like are you serious! Dont text and drive!!! Teenagers just don't get it!!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hell no, and I absolutely HATE it when I see someone weaving all over the road and see that they're talking or texting on their phone. It is so incredibly dangerous! Things can change in a second when you are driving. Keep your eyes on the road, and keep the phone turned off until you get to where you're going, unless you have a passenger that can handle your phone for you when you're driving.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.D.

answers from San Francisco on

NO WAY!! I prefer to remain alive and whole, and I would be devastated if I were to cause an accident that hurt of killed someone else just because I was too impatient to wait to text until I arrived at my destination.

1 mom found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Not only NO but HECK NO!!!

Nothing is sooo important that I have to text someone while I'm driving.

I MIGHT at a stop light...but I typically wait until until I'm parked to text.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

At stop lights, yes. Otherwise no, I can't see up close without my reading glasses and I cannot see a thing with them on for driving so no, not if the car is moving.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

no way!! I used to before the law but I am horrible at it, it makes me nervous, and whatever it is that someone is texting me about can definitely wait until I am stopped or no longer driving..

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't text at all. I prefer to talk to people on the phone and admit that I need to keep that in check, as well.

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...

answers from Phoenix on

Never! I can't see how people can text and drive in the first place. I can barely text while sitting on the couch.

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