READER COMMENTS
facebook.com/Costco
Is the Textalyzer
a good way to
prevent texting
while driving?
MOST STATES HAVE banned texting by drivers. Now, some lawmakers have introduced legislation that, if passed, would allow
police to use a device called a Textalyzer to determine whether
phones were illicitly used while drivers operated their vehicles.
Supporters say that Textalyzers will discourage texting and other
types of banned cellphone use while driving. Critics argue that
Textalyzers are excessive, invasive and unnecessary.
What do you think?
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC. On the internet, search:
• The “Textalyzer” could help curb distracted driving in New York
• New “Textalyzer” could let police tell if you were using your phone during an accident
• Driving While Distracted: Is the Textalyzer the new Breathalyzer?
• The plan to “textalyze” distracted drivers’ phones is dumb and doomed
INFORMEDDEBATE
I say go for it. Too many people [are]
out texting and driving. I hate when
the light is green and the person
in front is texting and delays everyone else by doing that. Pull over
and text.
—Melaine Hansen Boday
I do not believe a Textalyzer can
be implemented within the bounds
of current technology or the
Constitution. While a nice idea,
it has the potential to cause far
more problems than it solves.
—Daniel Pentecost
It will definitely cut back on the
outrageous amount of texting
while driving.
—Teresa Storey
Excessive and invasive; not every
texter in a vehicle is also a driver.
—Mindy Chemacki
It’s about time the usage of mobile
phones is completely outlawed
whilst driving.
—Ella Chu
Just as a Breathalyzer can be
bypassed, so can a Textalyzer.
—Iavila Avila
After nearly getting run off the road
so many times by men and women
using their phones, anything is an
improvement. There should be dead
zones for cell service on all major
roads/freeways/highways that only
allow 911 calls. Unless it is a life-or-death call, get off your phones.
—Christopher Luczak
What if someone pulls over to the
shoulder of the road to text, then
returns to traffic? Can this machine
distinguish that subtle detail? If so,
then sure, “textalyze” away. If not, it
would be useless.
—Mary Goodson
Hands-free cellphone use is still
legal, so this new gadget needs to
determine if a person is performing hands-free texting or manual
hands-on texting.
—Joe Powell
Keep your cellphone in your glove
box if you can’t control yourself.
—Jessica Marie Goodall
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