Comments on: South Carolina: Cell phone laws, legislation

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:02:32 +0000

Driving down the I-26 and having to swerve to prevent being hit by a semi-truck who’s driver is texting while driving is ridiculous! I’ve reported more company drivers in the last 3 months for running me off the road and still it goes on day after day. When will it be stopped? Will my children and husband be standing over my grave this year because of this senseless and utter inconsiderate action that might take my life? I pray to God it isn’t so and that the lawmakers of this state will do the right thing and put a stop to this before another life is lost. Take note; in 2010 2700 people died in SC roads from accidents caused by texting and driving.

By: Richard McEnroe

Richard McEnroe — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:33:54 +0000

I believe South Carolina, more specifically, Myrtle Beach has a serious epidemic on its’ hands. I have noted an average of 6 out of 10 drivers operating motor vehicles while talking or texting on cell phones. As a result, drivers are lane wandering, going onto the soft shoulder and totally not paying attention to what they are or should be doing. Driving while ” DIISTRACTED ” has become more blatant than impaired driving. If the fines and enforcement are not increased, this behaviour while driving will play a major factor in road collisions and fatal accidents

I spend my winters here as I love Myrtle Beach but I feel I had to write my comments as it has become a serious safety issue.

By: Brandon N

Brandon N — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:01:03 +0000

I don’t see much of a problem with a brief conversation on a cell phone, if you’re actually talking. It’s much easier to call someone to navigate you around a city than it is to try and pay attention to a GPS or written directions.

Texting while driving is a very bad idea, even if you’re the world’s greatest driver, you are still taking your eyes off the road while moving. I pay attention to drivers in Greenwood (where I live) and I watch many people steering and texting, staring at the phone.

South Carolina’s accident death rate is much higher already this year than it was last year. As facebook and twitter have become so cell phone friendly, people are not only texting, but updating statuses, replying to messages, and reading comments WHILE driving!

Personally, I don’t feel safe on the road. Several times a day, I have to hit brakes hard because people aren’t paying attention. You would think after all these people have died, something would be done. Please government, don’t let the loved ones who have died due to this have died in vain.

BAN Driving while texting!

By: Cassandra Goldsmith

Cassandra Goldsmith — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:20:45 +0000

Yes Rep. Mick Mulvaney, not only should people not be allowed to drive while texting but while holding a cell phone as well. At least if you have a hands free device like blue tooth, you can still have both hands on the wheel and people like myself won’t have to worry about getting hit or seeing swerving cars in front or behind them because someone is trying to use or text on the phone.

If the messages they are receiving is that important, then it’s important enough to pull over to protect yourself and others on the road. I have absolutely nothing against blue tooth, it’s when people are looking down trying to read or respond to text or dial out a call on their phones that irritate me. Please pay attention to the roads. There are other lives around besides our own.

By: Ernie Shirley

Ernie Shirley — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:15:18 +0000

No one NO ONE, should be allowed to talk or text while driving PERIOD. No one should be irresponsible enough to ignore the facts on dying due to distractions on the road. BUT, it must be allowed for anyone to pull completely off the road, come to a safe and complete stop, and then and only then to make a cell phone call.

This ain’t rocket science, it is just using a tiny bit of intelligence. For many many years there were no cell phones and people got by ok. Why do we insist on dying with them now?

By: Lou Fowler

Lou Fowler — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:38:18 +0000

I can’ take it anymore . . . I’ve had it up to here . . . dodging “Idiots” on our roads with a cell phone stuck in their ear; texing and using electronic devices while driving.

As you enter the gates of Fort Jackson you will find signs reading “NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE DRIVING.” The army is concerned with the safety of our troops; why then should you and our legislature not be concerned with the safety of us citizens?

I survived WWII with two Purple Hearts; and was a POW for 13 months of the Germans. I dodged many German bullets, and I don’t intend to leave this world by the hands of irresponsible drivers.

I am a good driver. I obey the laws because I respect the laws. You will not find any points against my record. I will challenge anyone with my past and present driving ability. Especially, I am a very good defensive driver, with lots of experience, dodging “idiot drivers” on our roads.

Please, do what is right . . . push through a law “NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHILE DRIVING”. Don’t be influenced by lobbyist who don’t give a
“Doodle Squat” about you or me.

By: Sandra Burleson

Sandra Burleson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:49:55 +0000

I agree with the ban on using phones, for either texting or sending and receiving calls while driving. I am concerned about emergencies, though. For example, my daughter may be stranded somewhere and needs me to pick her up. The cell phone is a God-send in these instances. The law should allow for hands free usages and for using phones while pulled off on the side of the road. This would allow my daughter to call me, then I could either answer using a hands-free device or pulling off the road to receive/return the call. The cell phone, if used responsibly, prevents many hardships and allows for more security. I know there is a lot of abuse, but there should be some allowance for responsible use.