Ouch: 5 years for text-messaging causing vehicular-manslaughter

[jdc]

A driver who caused a fatal traffic collision when she was text messaging behind the wheel on the freeway last year was sentenced today to five years in state prison.

http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2...ghter.html

Is it illegal in every state? or just a few? Anyone here do it all the time?

I dont text (dont even have a texting plan) and thankfully have BT in both my cars...

[mattkime]

killing people is illegal in 47 states.

[Grace62]

Here's the state-by-state run down on driving and texting laws:

http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

[GGD]

mattkime wrote:
killing people is illegal in 47 states.

Where are the three exceptions?

[Carnos Jax]

Logically speaking, it should be treated like alcohol. Having said that, I only text when the traffic is very light on the road (usually freeway like conditions). The analog when it comes to drinking (for a person of my tolerance level) is like driving when you've only had one or two drinks (I've done it) and even then only when traffic conditions are light (In other words I'm hardly feeling the effects, if at all).

[hal]

Several family members of Wilson spoke in court at today's sentencing in which they expressed anger at Jones, who has been in custody since the October crash. Besides pleading no contest Jan. 30 to causing the wreck that led to the death, Jones also admitted that she fled the scene rather than stop to provide aid for the man who was hit by another car after she knocked him off his motorcycle.

Ouch? She's getting off light imo...

[(vikm)]

I text. I don't drink (not even when I'm not behind the wheel).

It takes me forever to send a message because I text 2-3 letters of a word at a time and rely heavily on the autocorrect. Is it illegal? Sure. Is it wrong? Not so sure. It's not different (for me personally) than changing the music that's playing in the car or adjusting the temp or whatever.

I'm not saying she shouldn't be punished and I'm not even saying it was too much or too little a punishment. I'm guessing the fleeing the scene didn't help her much.

It's really a sad shame, regardless.

[Lew Zealand]

There's no excuse for texting behind the wheel. Or looking away to change the radio. Or the A/C. Or to scratch your ass.

[jdc]

Grace62 wrote:
Here's the state-by-state run down on driving and texting laws:

http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

WOW. That first column should be "all drivers" for every state IMHO.

You can always tell when someone here is doing 45 in the slow lane, or 45 behind an 18 wheeler on the freeway is because they are talking on the phone and arent paying attention.

[decay]

Siri helps me if i need to dash off a message while at a red light.