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> People know they shouldn’t text and drive. People know they shouldn't drink and drive either. But the legal BAC limit is not zero. We tolerate a small amount
by millstone 12y ago
> People know they shouldn’t text and drive.
People know they shouldn't drink and drive either. But the legal BAC limit is not zero. We tolerate a small amount of increased risk to be able to enjoy a beer or glass of wine at a restaurant.
So why this absolutist, zero tolerance approach for texting? Are there no legitimate reasons for texting while driving?
I found out my wife was in labor via a text message that I received while driving. When I reached a stoplight, I sent back omw (expands to On my way!) and drove home instead.
Another time, I was returning home from a long road trip, and hit bad stop-and-go traffic. After sitting in it for fifteen minutes, I texted my wife to let her know I would be delayed.
Obviously texting while joyriding at 70 mph is stupid and ought to be illegal, but I don't see the harm in sending one or two quick messages while stopped or moving at very low speeds. We should have a balanced approach to texting while driving, like we do with alcohol.
- lutusp 12y ago> Are there no legitimate reasons for texting while driving? Not if you're driving -- it's inexcusable. It's hard enough to type on a small device's virtual keyboard while sitting at a desk without any distractions, much less while trying to move a massive, potentially lethal weapon along the public roads. > I don't see the harm in sending one or two quick messages while stopped or moving at very low speeds. That's a classic slippery slope -- society would rightly forbid texting simply because different people would define "quick messages" and "very low speeds" differently.