Text-Messaging Behind the Wheel

Pussy 06-29-2008

Created Facebook group I Text Message People While Driving and I Haven't Crashed Yet!

Alaska and Louisiana just became the latest states to pass laws banning text-messaging behind the wheel. It's a popular activity: YouTube has videos of young adults texting while driving, and about 600 Facebook members have joined a group called I Text Message People While Driving and I Haven't Crashed Yet! TIME's Sarah N. Lynch contacted the group's founder, Taylor Leming, 21, of Round Hill, Va., who submitted her responses via e-mail:

Why did you start this group?

My friends and I were laughing about how we sometimes text and drive, and how we know it's dangerous and have nearly rear-ended people because of it. I made the group mainly as a joke among us and a few of our friends. And gradually people invited their friends, and so on.

Do you think texting while driving is a problem?

Yes. Unfortunately, people still do it. I still do it. Sometimes it just seems easier to text "Be there in 5" instead of calling.

Ever had an accident?

Thankfully, I have had only near accidents. A few times, I was texting in stop-and-go traffic and had to slam my brakes to avoid rear-ending the person in front of me ... :)

Would you support a text-and-drive ban?

It would be a hard rule to enforce, as a cop cannot necessarily see someone texting while driving. I would support it, however, because I consider myself to be a pretty good law follower and would feel pretty horrible if something happened because of me breaking a law.

Nina

Here's my rule with txt messaging, if its a 1 time responses hen yeah. It's having the whole conversation that annoys me.

Lauren

Texting is still majority a teenanger thing. But if you dumb enough to drive and do this you deserve to be in a crash, even if you can type without looking at your phone you going to need to look at the phone just to read what they typed.

hugo281

right!! yeah but here in Houston, I've seen lotz of people texting while they drive some even cross into my lane almost causing accidents and stuff like that, and hell yeah they get honked at alot and another thing they do is hold up traffic especially when its the middle of rush hour too and people trying to get home from work, that's when you see em mostly just sitting there texting the whole time

Raven

I'm trying to understand how its easier to txt you be there in 5 minutes then to text it. Someone explain that to me. Do a button press count and tell me its easier.

Jessica

To text message that took about 15 button presses to call someone and say it took 1 button press. Ok yeah I agree with Raven someone tell me how its easier.

Nina

Took me 1 button press and never even have to look at my phone to make a call. And she said txt msging is easier even while driving? It's hard to bea 1 button press so I would like to see how its easier.

hugo281

well I don't know why it would be easy while driving, i rather make the call then text while I drive that's easier for me

Hsoolien

I've been bad about this at times, but no more, mostly cause well I no longer have the perosn i texted though... so not because of any common sense on my part.

Stephyi

Yeahh I have text and drive before and almost hit cars. I really think they should ban it because honestly I've seen a couple accidents from it and it's stupid.

hugo281

yeah but if you heard on the news in California they already ban cell phones in cars unless you have a bluetooth or a hands free device so you won't be distracted, the news also mention that those laws might spread throughout the country too so who knows what will happen

Mina

i text and drive. with conversations. i dont have to look at my phone while i do it. no accidents and no near ones... sooo idk. if there were a law agaisnt it. i wouldnt do it.

Stephyi

You have some skills. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a tad bit jealous! haha

Mina

haha yeah. i just look down to read for 3 seconds then hit reply and text while driving. my dad would kill me if he knew!

hugo281

lol well you better not tell then , but yeah Stephyi's right you got skillz Mina hehehehe