A popular anti-cell phone bumper sticker says: Shut up and drive!
If you own the sticker, stop reading because what follows will drive you nuts.
Just more than a third of Virginia drivers surveyed admit they have sent text messages while driving, making this the sixth most active state for the controversial habit, according to a national survey released Tuesday.
Nationally, 28 percent of those surveyed acknowledged they have typed with the keypads of tiny cell phones while heading down the road.
Interestingly, a clear majority of those surveyed - 78 percent - said they think the practice should be illegal.
The worst offenders are apparently found in South Carolina, where 40 percent said they were guilty of DWT, driving while texting. The least troublesome were in Arizona.
About one in four of those surveyed in North Carolina admitted to the practice.
Overall, the national survey found two age groups that most often let their fingers and thumbs do the talking - and not just while driving. They are teens and young adults, defined as 20 to 29 years old. Eighty-five percent of both groups say they text-message, the study found.
Teens also are the most prolific at texting.
The survey found that one in three teens who text send more than 500 messages a month. About two-thirds of them said that if they couldn't text, it would have a negative effect on their lives. Most of them send texts more often than they make phone calls.
Stephanie McMullen, 17, a senior at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, isn't surprised.
She doesn't text while driving, she said, because her car's manual transmission makes the task impossible.
"But I know so many kids who text the whole day," she said. "If they're doing it in school, chances are they will do it while they are driving."
The online survey of 4,820 people was commissioned by Vlingo Corp., a company based in Cambridge, Mass., that develops and markets voice-recognition software that can be used as a substitute for texting. The survey was conducted by Common Knowledge Research Services, of Dallas, in January, February and March. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.41 percentage points.
"We decided to make it public because we had the same reaction that others did," said Dave Granna, CEO of Vlingo. "These are stunning findings.... We think it bodes poorly for driving safety in the coming decade."
Text-messaging while driving is widely condemned by public safety officials as a dangerous habit.
"Don't do it," said Corinne Geller, spokeswoman for the Virginia State Police. "Texting falls into one of those driving distractions that we are constantly lecturing against."
Virginia legislators passed a new law last year that limits cell phone use for teens but stopped short of banning text messaging for anyone.
In 2007, the General Assembly banned drivers who hold provisional licenses - mostly teens - from talking on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle except while parked or in an emergency.
Two other bills were introduced earlier this year to outlaw driving while texting, but both were set aside for further study.
"There are more and more distractions that drivers face every day," Geller said. "If it's not texting, it's the radio or iPods or adjusting the global positioning equipment or eating.
"You can't multitask and drive at the same time. It's a deadly combination."
Tom Holden, (757) 446-2331, tom.holden@pilotonline.com
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Not just phones
True story: Last week I saw a woman driving down 264 eating SOUP! That's right I said SOUP! I'm not really sure how she was steering since soup eating is a 2-handed operation. Our legislators need to ban SWD (Soup While Driving)!
I agree with the a previous poster. No real need for new laws, actual enforcement would do the trick. I can't remember the last time I saw a State Trooper on the interstate around here. And I've lost count of the times I sat next to a cop at a stop light while 2 or 3 vehicles ran the red (the police officer never pursues). People have no real fear of getting caught and being held accountable. That's why you see so many of them weaving through traffic doing 90 on the highway.
Dumb and Dumber
It is absolutely stupid to try to text or even dial a cell phone while driving. Not only do I not do either, I do not even answer my cell phone while I'm driving, any call can wait until I can safely get off the road.
With that said, it is even far more stupid to be calling for another law. Inattentive driving laws are already on the books, all that needs be done is enforce the current laws, new ones are NOT needed.
Re: katmoon_2006
While your suggestion is a good one (and one that New York and Washington DC have put into effect, I think), there was a study done not too long ago that shows that whether or not you have a hands-free device for your phone while driving doesn't make a difference. It's the actual act of being on the phone that is the distraction, not whether or not you're using a phone or a hands-free unit.
Granted, I used to be as guilty as the next person of answering the phone while driving, but I came up with a simple solution. While I'm driving, the phone is turned off. If something happens and I need to call for assistance, it's right there. Just an idea that could be thrown out there.
Hands free voice activated phones as standard safety equipment
People are connected more than ever today. Cell phones are a problem when they are being used on the road.
Car manufactuers need to include a hands -free, voice activated phone in every model made. In fact, I think this should be required standard safety equipment.
I can't imagine why this hasn't already been done.
Your kidding
I agree that texting can be bad while driving but wouldnt it be BETTER to oh I dont know pull someone over drg racing on Virginia Beach Blvd or Battlefield? Pulling over someone that is weaving in and out of traffic doing their makeup? I refuse to go into the downtown tunnel anymore after seeing not one not two more more then 3 people READING IN THE CAR WHAT THE HECK!!!! Ive lived in SEVERAL major cities and frankly Virginia State Police should pull for somthing more then just texting how about when you pass a car that has a 2 year old NOT IN A CAR SEAT????
BANNING
Do you think the police would enforce it. They text, call and forget they have traffic regulations to.
I agree...the quilty parties won't read this article
Nor will they read any comments. What we can do is all go out and get bumper stickers, put them on our vehicles and get in their face that cell phone's and texting is WRONG. The other thing we can do is start writing our elected officials to ban all cell phone use while driving and that includes texting. I know some of you will say it won't do any good, but what good does it do to sit and do nothing?
Safe Drivers
It's so nice to know that everyone who has made a comment on this topic has never had any accidents or traffic violations!! Because I know that NONE of you have EVER went over the speed limit, drove without your seatbelt, listened to music, talked to anyone that was IN your car, or adjusted the heat or A/C. But those other things don't cause accidents right? If we all practice what we preach it would be a lot safer out there. I don't agree with talking or texting while driving, and I don't do it. But let's get those drunk/reckless drivers off the road.
ignorance is bliss
Cell phone-talking drivers are never aware of the near misses and traffic calamity they cause, as they are too engrossed in the self-importance of their conversations. Just the same, they'll never notice this article either.
Back in the day
Back in the day when I was younger friends had the equipment to listen to cell phone conversations (one had the equipment to interrupt them, and jump in the conversation). This was in the analog AMPS days. Young kids with no drivers license... what did we hear? A: Drug deals and other shady stuff. B: couples sitting there, not really saying anything of importance. C: Domestic fighting. D: business. It was absolutely amazing, when airtime was that expensive (and USD was worth more), as to how long people would sit there "Hey what you doing" "Nothing" "Oh" (Repeat times 500). I assume these people were at work and on someone else's dime. I'm sure little has changed. Regarding texting, it's great if you have a phone that has a keyboard. I use my blackberry to connect to IRC network where I can hit all my technology savvy friends at once with no charges (irc.757.org/#proto).
The Best invention of the 20th Century
Has turned into a nightmare to every driver on the highway by irresponsible drivers. In my opinion cell phone and text message drivers should have their license taken away and never drive again. You are a threat to everyone you come in contact with. BTW, could you please turn off your cell when you are grocery shopping or other public activities, you really are not all that importnat?
text messaging
No wonder so many crazy drivers run red lights in Greenbriar.
When is the state and its
When is the state and its citizens going to wise up and use what little common sense the obviously have? Make talking on a cell phone while driving illegal...please. How many deaths, unneeded injuries will it take? Being rated 6th in the nation for texting is something I wouldn't be proud of.
Driving while texting?????
What a STUPID thing to do! You need to be able to look at the cell phone screen while texting and not be distracted by people or things crashing against your windshield! Heck... a pedestrian smashing into your windshield might make u hit the wrong key on the cell phone -- resulting in a text message that makes you look stupid!
People PLEASE! If ur gna txt, pull ovr so u cn focus n ur msg.
BLAA BLAA BLAA Leave these people alone
People who think they can drive while doing other things should be left alone ONE MORE DISTRACTION might just cause their world to come crashing down on them. Driveing takes 100% of your attention both hands and your eyes any thing less is an accident waiting to happen..so readers keep reading smokers keep smokeing ladies keep putting on the makeup people with cell phones keep talking and texting hell you no how to multi task I'll be ready I'm not stupid I just drive....:) c u n d obits o ya fido(the dog)gets to sit on the drivers lap its safer there
BAN CELL PHONE USAGE WHILE DRIVING
The time for our state legislators to ban cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle in Virginia is long overdue! The area military installations had absolutely no problem doing it aboard their bases. What will it take for the state to get the idea that using a cell phone, either talking or texting, while driving is a safety hazard?
DID YOU...
While taking your physical driving test with DMV, talk on your cell phone, text your mother or eat a #3 combo(super size) from Wendys? Did you have your music blasting and putting info in your GPS system. I remember holding my hands @ 3 o' clock & 9 o' clock not driving with one hand...utilizing the hand over hand technique while turning. All that goes out the window once you recieve your license.If youre caught doing anything other then Dmv regulations you should be considered in violation.QUESTION......IS DRIVING WHILD HOLDING A DOG ILLEGAL?
only 4820????
Only 4820 people were intervied and you don't think the study is accurate. I wouldn't care if only 10 people were interviewed that's 10 people too many texting or using their cell phones. Good grief!
I DISLIKE IT...
My friends text me all the time and I just hate it. Please, call me and tell me what do you need to tell me. They claim it's easier to just write me what they need to say because they never know if I am busy or if it is a good time to talk. Ok, I agree with that. But texting all the time??? Nah, that's too extreme.
I prefer a nice little conversation. I do text from time to time when I cannot sit and talk for long periods in public areas or when I don't want to disturb others with my conversations, but to text and drive? no, there are other wonderful technological devices, such as Bluetooth, handsfree, speaker features on your phone, and of course, waiting until you come to a complete stop.
There were no cellphone while I was growing up and yes, while they are convenient now and we can't seem to live without them, we need to learn to control ourselves a little. Some providers offer family plans where you don't get charge the 0.15c per minute rate, instead, they charge you a flat $19.99 per month fee on top of your regular per minutes monthly fee. NICE!!!
texting and cell phones while driving
When will the law make it illegal and enforce that law not to drive and text while driving. These people are endangering public safty.
The true crime is the 15 cents per message!
The true crime is the 15 cents (on each end) often charged for text messaging. The text message data is so small, it makes up just a portion of what 1 second of voice communications on a cell phone would cost, yet they charge an astronomical price for it. Outlaw cell phone contracts, bring out TRUE competition!
Don't get too excited...
They only interviewed 4820 people; less than 100 per state. That doesn't seem very accurate to me.
Got along fine for all those years without one
but of course like everyone else I have one. Has anyone ever stopped to think about how much money we throw away for the sake of convienience these days? Cell phone bills & internet provider bills can easily account for well over $100.00 a month. Extra cable channels, special ring tones...all the cash we all throw away....and then have the nerve to complain about our money not going as far as it used to. How bad do we want to save or have extra cash? We all did fine before there were cell phones and high speed internet. Now folks act like they can't live without them. I don't get it....
Dont studies show that it's
Dont studies show that it's as distracting as drunk driving? How many people have to die before the laws catch up?
SPLNG
CNT SPEL THO
And what's so amazing
Is that not one of these nitwits driving while texting or yacking away on the phone while driving (they really make me want to yack) is doing anything that can't wait. Not one of the these fools has got the cure for cancer or AIDS, the keys to world peace, or is even truly important in the scheme of world reality, other than to the voices in their own heads telling them how wonderful they are. This world is obviously full of people with clear issues of self control. Amazing, driving is the most dangerous thing most of us will do on a daily basis, yet most of us treat it like we were brushing our teeth.
Ranking "sixth"
Well now, that is something to NOT be proud of. Besides teens, the age group is 20-29. I find that amazing! You would think that age group would have better sense, but apprently they don't. Teens, well what can you say. I hate to see people driving with a phone to their ear, it's like a neighbor of mine when she starts her car she gets on her cell. When I start my car I light up a cigarette.....trying to break that habit. As far as I'm concerned the laws can't be harsh enough for drivers with cell's and jail time for text messages while driving and drivers license taken away for at least 1 year. Only a fool would drive and text or talk. Those that do think they are soooo important.....news flash, you ARE NOT. Some of you can't even grocery shop without being on your cell. What's up with that?
Nuts!
You have to be absolutely crazy to be texting while driving...the fine, if caught, should be at least a $1000 and loss of driving privleges for a year.