The Utah texting tragedy that saw two scientists lose their lives has inspired a remarkable 15-minute documentary that should be seen by everyone who uses handheld portable electronic devices. The New York Times recently profiled the case of Reggie Shaw, a college student who was text messaging as he lost control of his SUV and killed the rocket scientists, who were on their way to work. Shaw received a month in jail and 100 hours of community service, an incredibly light sentence that inspired new Utah laws that could add up to 15 years in prison for a texting-related vehicular … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2009
Wide support for bans on texting, driving
September 2, 2009 by Leave a Comment
About 80 percent of Americans favor bans on text messaging while driving, according to a new poll on distracted driving habits. A majority of those polled would like to see laws restricting all types of cell phone use behind the wheel -- regardless of whether a hands-free device is employed. The Nationwide Insurance poll on cell phones and text messaging by drivers, conducted in early August, surveyed more than 1,000 adults nationwide. It was conducted independently, by Harris Interactive. Almost two-thirds of the respondents backed some controls on cell phone use by drivers. Three-fourths … [Read more...]
The unfriendly skies: Cell phones in flight
September 2, 2009 by Leave a Comment
U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio doesn't like what he hears about the possibility of cell phones being legalized on airline flights. He's sponsoring the Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace Act -- or HANG UP -- which would prohibit the FCC from allowing mobile phone use in the skies. DeFazio, D-Oregon, is no buttinski -- he's a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "After arriving hours early at the airport and often after waiting for a delayed, or even canceled, flight, what could make air travel worse?" he asks rhetorically in an opinion piece on cell phones on … [Read more...]
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