Florida should ban text-messaging by both adult and teen drivers.

Sen. Carey Baker says his bill banning cell phones for drivers younger than 18 is sure to pass the Legislature.

[Jim Davis]

There are already enough laws on the books. The problem isn't lack of law, it is lack of law ENFORCEMENT. Try Careless Driving! Try Reckless Driving!
Personally, I believe the ones that should be enforced are those pertaining to TAIL GAITING....These idiots seem to believe that they are somehow able to usurp the laws of physics. Specifically inertia. Or perhaps they are simply so dumb that they don't understand that the second or second and a half it takes for their brains to realize they should respond mean their vehicle has already run up some one's backside. I personally believe that anyone tailgaiting, text messaging etc while driving should be immediately stopped and issued citations. That if there needs to be a law changed they should be changed to state that if driving in a manner that endangers others the FINES which are already in place are to be MANDATORIALY tripled. That ought to get at least some of these idiots to slow down, back off and use at least a modicum of common sense (assuming they have any)

[nokidding]

Jim Davis wrote:

There are already enough laws on the books. The problem isn't lack of law, it is lack of law ENFORCEMENT. Try Careless Driving! Try Reckless Driving!
Personally, I believe the ones that should be enforced are those pertaining to TAIL GAITING....These idiots seem to believe that they are somehow able to usurp the laws of physics. Specifically inertia. Or perhaps they are simply so dumb that they don't understand that the second or second and a half it takes for their brains to realize they should respond mean their vehicle has already run up some one's backside. I personally believe that anyone tailgaiting, text messaging etc while driving should be immediately stopped and issued citations. That if there needs to be a law changed they should be changed to state that if driving in a manner that endangers others the FINES which are already in place are to be MANDATORIALY tripled. That ought to get at least some of these idiots to slow down, back off and use at least a modicum of common sense (assuming they have any)

I agree fully.... All we do is create new laws but enforce none of them.

[PeeWee Herman]

Someone ought to moderate these comments so they don't become a vehicle (no pun intended) for everyone's off-topic pet peeves.

I agree with the writer of the editorial, but I also agree with reader Davis in the sense that enforcement of the proposed law will be difficult. Nevertheless, if people are stupid enough to think they have the "right" to do something that endangers innocent people, someone or something has to usurp that so-called right. The vehicle for that is legislation. Thus, we need a law that prohibits text messaging while operating a motor vehicle.

[JCS]

For the love of Pete. Did anyone pay attention in govenment class in high school?

A law is only a law if it is enforcable. How in scott's name is an officer going to catch someone on this? How can s/he prove beyond a 'reasonable' doubt that they were text, and not looking up someone in the phone's address book?

I'm not saying that these activities are very smart while one is driving, but you can only legislate so far. And, you certainly cannot make a law you cannot enforce.

I agree with another poster on here... before they waste my tax payer dollars on making unenforcable laws, let's see them enforce the ones already on the books. I drive 10 miles on 192 everyday. I would need a calculator to count the speeders, red light runners, agressive drivers, etc. Let's spend our money enforcing what's already there first before we start making new laws.

[Minx]

If people drove normally we would not have the stupid accidents. One day a woman is driving as slow as she can down 50 just so she can work on her crossword puzzle book that she has on her steering wheel; plus don't forget those who want to eat a meal and drive. I can't believe how stupid people are and can believe the stupid accidents. The people I saw doing these things were middle age, not teens.

[Political Power]

Wanting to pass an anti-text messaging law is just another example of how our state legislators attempt to justify their year round salaries. The law makers who back this bill can now add to their spin-doctored campaign ads that they sponsored laws to make driving in Florida safer.

There are plenty of laws on the books that will cover doing something behind the wheel other than driving the car. We have over SIX volumes of statutes in Florida as it is. Let's just enforce the ones we already have.

[OCistheplace2b]

Okay... i do believe that is a great rule because a lot of people get killed by stupide people texting while driving. BUT it should not just apply to teens like myself it should apply to every one! Even the old folks. And BTW the onle reason there is reckless drivers is because people are in the left lane texting and going 20 miles below the speed limit! Band texting and you won;t see me tail gating!

[OCistheplace2b]

Minx wrote:

If people drove normally we would not have the stupid accidents. One day a woman is driving as slow as she can down 50 just so she can work on her crossword puzzle book that she has on her steering wheel; plus don't forget those who want to eat a meal and drive. I can't believe how stupid people are and can believe the stupid accidents. The people I saw doing these things were middle age, not teens.

Thanks foor speaking the truth

[Gil]

What's wrong with you people?? It's all about education. Require people to learn and test their driving skills is the real solution. This isn't just about text messaging. We have idiots trying to solve red light runners with cameras. Next thing they'll want stop sign cameras, speeding cameras, lane change cameras, etc, etc, etc.
Make the drivers test more difficult. First of all make it in English Only. It's not asking to much that they learn the road rules in english. Then we could include a manual dexterity test, or just make everybody test out in a stick shift. Drivers Ed for offenders should include another road test.Education is the real answer not passing another unenforcable law.

[Gloom and Doom]

I agree 100%. These bozos hook on so much cell phone crap now the look like the borg from Star Trek. I'm afraid to get too close to them or I'll get some of those finger tubes in my neck filling me with nano probes. This cell phone craze has no end. The new ones look like switch blades so you can look tough when you open it up. Next year, I hear they will have pacificiers on them so they can suck on something between calls. I can't believe these fools are so insecure they have to be in contact with someone 24-7. You couldn't give me a free cell phone with unlimited minutes. Oh! Yeah! that's your communicator man, beam me up Scotty. I enjoy my privacy and the more I get the better. I'm still looking for a CELL PHONE ZAPPER. I intend to have loads of fun with that little device.

[Rob]

I think its perfectly fine to text message while driving. HOWEVER--if you have an accident while talking or text messaging on your phone there should be much tougher enforcement of the law. Its true some people can't handle chewing gum and walking at the same time and if they do they shouldn't try. But leave me alone, I have no problem talking and driving at the same time so why make the laws applicable to ALL people. Just the ones who are too dumb to do 2 things at once.

--"Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither."

Ben Franklin

[eye roller]

I do text and drive. I try to do it at a stop light though. But I admit it's really dangerous. But then again so are all the other distractions in your car like changing out the cd and the radio stations, your friends yelling in the back seat. It has been proven though that teens are just not experienced enough drivers to handle distractions like those that have been driving for many years.

[soon to be]

Gil, in europe they do have camera's all over the place to catch people. New Jersey has them on the turnpike, I know, I got caught and was fined, the camera is so close it gets your face and tag number also the exact speed your going, etc. I think we need to install camera's because we cannot afford the extra police, sent the violation by mail and let you pay the fine. I know it won't be long before people change their ways, or are broke or have no license or car. Driving today is insane, no one signals, no one stops at red lights, today I was going through a school zone while kids were getting out of school at the corner of merril road and rogero road, cars were going at least 40 in the 15 mph zone. They were on cell phones and changing lanes (agressive driving) if a camera was their they would have got a ticket and probably a heavy fine. The video can be used in a court of law for a conviction, a picture is worth a 1000 words.

[John]

Ok I may not be a driver but banning texting while driving is impossible, I mean I only turned 18 this month, but I know unless you can enforce the law it isn't going to be followed. the camera thing I happen to agree with let's set hundreds of them up maybe that'll get the speeders redlight runner etc.'s attention. I used to live in Florida but I had moved and I'm begining to be glad I did...