In answer to the question - Should texting while driving be banned - I believe that a ban on texting while driving is totally justified.

Having put that question to google, one of the top searches was for a website called answerbag.com, and some of the comments on there regarding the question are reprinted here:-

Definitley, a person could so easily kill someone in that minute it would take to text, You"d have to be stupid and irresponsible to even think about doing that.

It is already illegal in the UK, you can get points on your driving license and a fine.

Absolutely, most people can"t walk and chew gum at the same time.

I agree--no texting. I can"t think of anything more distracting. Would you read and write by other methods when you drive?

There was an accident in New Jersey about 6-7 years ago that involved a truck driver using a calculator to figure out his pay and mileage while he was driving. He didn"t see the stopped traffic in front of him. Result: 5 dead.

Driving requires your full concentration. It"s difficult even without distractions.



Read more: Should texting while driving be banned? | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/367046#ixzz13aO0Ebc0

Should texting while driving be banned?

You may be aware that most countries, states and provinces have banned the use of calling people using their mobile phones while they are driving in their car. Before we discuss the question "should texting while driving be banned?" and the reasons for and against, we should first consider what the definition of the phrase "texting while driving" actually is.

Texting while driving doesn"t just apply to formulating a text (SMS message) to send to other people while driving. It also applies to the sending of SMS text messages, viewing of SMS text messages, as well as reading/formulating/sending emails using the internet service present on mobile phones.

The question "should texting while driving be banned?" has a lot of valid answers that argue in favour of banning the use of texting while being the driver of a vehicle, some of which will be explored below.

Why should texting while driving be banned?

Many people consider texting to people while driving to be just as dangerous (if not more so) as talking to people on the mobile phone or doing other mobile phone related tasks while driving. In some motoring accident cases, texting has been found to be the primary cause. One notable incident revolving around the consequences of texting while at the wheel of a vehicle, involved the death of a woman named Heather Hurd. She was killed in a road traffic accident, caused by someone allegedly driving a truck while texting. The result was a 10 car pile-up, in Florida, 2008. This is just one of many examples where people texting while at the wheel has caused a devastating accident.

Texting, is an activity that causes drivers to take their focus off the road they"re on and onto their mobile phone. Taking your eyes off your surroundings while driving a car can be lethal and increase the likelihood of drivers being involved in accidents.

Studies by universities in the U.S. have discovered that activities involving text messages while driving have a detrimental effect. The Accident Research Centre at Monash University showed that texting had negative effects on the amount of time users spent watching the roads and responding to signs (both hazard signs and road signs). For example: texting while you are stopped at a red light will take your attention of the road and it could take you longer to move once the light has turned green (if you were even aware of it).

Should texting while driving be banned in the U.K?

In the U.K. the current law which regulates the use of mobile phones whilst driving indicates that it is illegal to operate mobile phones in any way whilst driving, whether you are a learner or fully qualified. The rule also applies to driving instructors/people who are supervising learners as you need to be fully alert in order to best help them if something goes wrong. There is only one exception to this rule: drivers may contact the emergency services whilst driving as long as it is an emergency situation.

Should texting while driving be banned, how can it be regulated?

Performing the act of texting while driving is one of those things which cannot actually be properly regulated at the present time. There are very few ways that the police/relevant organisations will be able to tell whether texting was the cause of an accident (which is why most cases involving text messaging are "alleged"). Although in theory it is good practice to ban texting, it is not a ban that can effectively be put into practice.