A Friend Stopped By | 08/14/2009 11:00 pm

The New Text-Messaging Guidelines, by Sybil Adelman Sage

By Sybil Adelman Sage

Courtesy of Sybil Adelman Sage

Editor’s note: Sybil Adelman Sage, one of the first women to break into television writing, is currently working on a fictitious memoir titled Diary of an Overachiever: Mensa Model Finishes First in NYC Marathon After Solving Economic Problems and Proposing Health Plan Praised by Democrats and Republicans Alike.

Recent studies show that DWT (driving while texting) is dangerous, making text messaging the new drinking. Call me overly cautious, but even before these findings I was never tempted to text, fill in a crossword puzzle, tweeze my eyebrows or do a pedicure while behind the wheel. I live carefully, changing the batteries in my smoke detector as soon as it buzzes, not using plastic containers in the microwave and being sure to take a baby aspirin every day.

But not everyone is as risk phobic, and apparently others are text messaging while whipping along a highway, feeling an urgency to respond to, "Yo, where do you want to hang tonight?" and then, most unfortunately, slamming into another car. Such was the case with a 22-year-old Arizona woman who hit a stationary emergency vehicle, despite the blazing warning lights, as she was text messaging and driving.

It’s not only mortality and bodily damage at issue, but during the claims process, insurance companies check cell-phone use preceding an accident, and texting impacts your chances of being reimbursed. That, too, provoked a study showing that by avoiding text messaging while driving, you stand a substantially reduced chance of a loss of a claim. Texting while driving, like fooling with your cell phone, BlackBerry or GPS system, has been determined to be a leading factor in accidents. I anticipate a follow-up study telling us that an electric razor, Kindle and a personal vibrator are also not recommended for use while operating heavy machinery.

Studies indicate that close to half the drivers aged 16 to 17 admit to texting while driving. In some states, young or inexperienced drivers are banned from using cell phones, even a hands-free kit, with emergency calls exempted. At least one enterprising company has developed a live transcribing service that eliminates typing, instead sending and receiving messages via voicemail with a hands-free kit.

Until studies are performed, I’d err on the side of caution. My own guidelines would be to stay away from using your cell phone or other handheld device while piloting a plane, waterskiing or rope climbing, performing delicate eye surgery or a circumcision, being under oath or a chuppah and during sex, even if you find yourself momentarily in a hands-free circumstance.

46 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

It is illegal in California to use a hand held cell phone while driving. It should be illegal everywhere. What did everyone do before cell phones? Are we so insecure we have to answer every call at just that minute. Once on a bus I heard the lady across from me talking to someone saying she was now on the bridge, then getting off the bridge, then passing a landmark. Sheesh. I think the party on the other end got the idea.

By Judy K. on 08/15/2009 1:32 am

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Since I also live in CA, at times I still see people on cell phones and either they are speeding or crawling blocking traffic. I do not even text on my phone because it is so expensive. If someone calls me I tell them I am driving and pull over to the side of road or into a parking lot safely. I hate the ear piece on the phone and have not figured out how to switch to speaker mode. I sometimes wonder what these people are talking about for so long on the cell phone.

By Rachel M on 08/15/2009 6:12 pm

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I think people have taken the blogging mania to the next level with their phones. Most phones now are connected to the Internet, which means they can connect to Facebook and Twitter, and other popular sites.

It’s like carrying tiny pc’s. The laws are going to have to catch up with technology.

By Eldebbo C on 08/15/2009 6:23 am

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I think it should be against the law to talk on a phone of any kind while driving.

We are speeding down the road/highway at speeds that KILL………..Our minds should be on the task at hand.

DRIVING………not anything else. It was dangerous enough with women putting their makeup on while driving.

Men/women drinking their coffee…eating their breakfast or whatever food the time of day requires. I’ve even seen people trying to read a news paper in one hand and the wheel in the other.

Young mothers trying to control and tend to their little children while driving…….(ask any young mother how distracting that is). So many normal things that distract us.

I’m surprised their aren’t more deaths. I think it’s almost as dangerous as drunk driving.

Alcohol/drugs takes away ones ability to function safely and correctly.

So does TALKING ON PHONES……now it’s texting. My God that’s just plain INSANE.

I’m for passing laws that forbid phone use while driving an automobile period.

It seems we as a people are determined to add more and more things that cause us to be anxiety driven.

It’s just plain crazy.

Don’t people realize how dangerous this additional distraction is to the life and limb of every person in a vehicle near the phone addicts.

I personally want to live as long as I can…When My phone rings I either pull off the road or I let it take a message and get to it when I’m not driving..Why do people want to be tied to a telephone?

By Dona Howlett on 08/16/2009 4:03 am

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re Why do people want to be tied to a telephone?

Because, Dona, they 1) don’t want quiet or they will think; 2) they need it to feel important, likable, or needed.

In the early 90s, traveling a great deal, I realized two things had changed in my technological life: 1) people were talking on their cell phones in restaurants, and airport gate areas - aloud; 2) my cell phone was ringing all the time, and my bill (although deductible expense) was enormous! So, I hired a part-time at-home new mom to take all but my important phone calls (from the kids). Not only was my new helper delighted but those calling me were impressed with her attentiveness, and demeanor, but also my bill lowered to a sane level. After I retired, I vowed I’d never have a cell phone again, though… and made it several years without one, until recently, hospitalized, I realized I must never be without a way to "get out!"

Now, I have a simple TracPhone (and was wisely advised to buy a double-minute card with it). Texting can be utilized now and then, appropriately, but the way some people use it truly shocks me. I have seen my own grandchildren texting away during a family dinner, at the table, no less! But, also a SIL texting to "someone" during Thanksgiving dinner - at the table. With the recent increase in articles on the greatest "texting violations," I think I received one that should win a prize, for me!

Recently, when my home security system alarm sounded, the usual situation took place, and I was so shocked, I was entering the Release code afterward, so the darned thing went off again when the door opened.

The next day, I turned on my cell phone in transit (just in case … ) and noticed I had a text message. It read:

"Your security alarm is going off."

The text message was sent the night before, and was from a daughter! (Her name was removed from people or a person to call … now I have down: "The local Police!")

Believe me, I truly thought she was capable of thinking more clearly, but once they are grown, and gone, one never knows what they are doing at any given moment.

By C jay on 08/17/2009 12:07 am

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C jay,

I just thought of a reason that young people need to become proficient at texting. They do this while having their music blaring in their ears. They will probably reach old age deaf and won’t even be able to hear their cell phones. So Texting is the last resort to communications among Human Beings.

Next we will become mute………Deaf and Mute by choice…..Isn’t that sad. LOL

By Dona Howlett on 08/17/2009 2:12 am

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You aren’t kidding. And won’t they wish there would have been healthcare reform, then! ;-))

By C jay on 08/17/2009 2:36 am

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Have you ever noticed how Young people are so concerned about their Rights being denied them……..they cause the biggest loss of the Rights all by themselves.

It really gives me a kick when I see how the young kids are getting all ticked off at their parents for joining and being involved with Facebook. Hopefully they are getting some good information also about Politics etc.

By Dona Howlett on 08/17/2009 3:10 am

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Frankly, I don’t see their parents using much more discretion; hence, the problem with our youth. I cannot imagine adults using the social networks and using their own names, etc. Like the Internet is secure!

By C jay on 08/17/2009 10:24 am

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Do you ever notice how whiny Old people are when it comes to Paradigm Shifts that they don’t understand?

By R.J.B. Reed on 08/17/2009 12:25 pm

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The next wave of surgeries will address the left and right thumb joints and the cervical vertebrae as young people seem addicted to texting rather than calling someone on the phone. My guess is that carpal tunnel syndrome may be a thing of the past. I agree that it should be against the law to text while driving.

By deber B on 08/15/2009 7:10 am

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Good point, Deber, replacement thumbs will be the new knees and hips! The ones who over-text will also complain of a lack of ability to focus.

I think texting is a valuable communication option, one that I use almost daily with my husband and kids. I would never jeopardize my safety in order to do it though.

By Green Tears on 08/15/2009 10:24 am

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Green Tears, and don’t forget the neck…the cervical vertebrae….dropping the head to text. That will be an issue one day.

By deber B on 08/15/2009 1:14 pm

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You are SOOO right, deber! When the fall semester begins in a couple of weeks, here are some of the things I can expect:

Students walking into me because their head is down and their thumbs flying on their cell phone. (Note: I rarely get an apology from them, so I have learned to be nimble in the fine art of dodging distracted texters!)

Having to confiscate the texting devices of UNIVERSITY STUDENTS who just cannot seem to resist using them during class time. (Apparently it is unthinkable for them to be out of touch with whomever it is they are madly texting for the span of a single class period.)

Having to waste time every class meeting asking students to turn off their cell phones and put them away.

Watching them absolutely ruin their thumb joints - but they are young and, of course, that means completely invincible, as well as immortal. I was that way myself - I guess we all were, truth be told. I wrecked my hearing by attending rock concerts. It’s fair play that today kids can do the same with iPods!

Texting while driving???? I know it goes on, I see people doing it - and not just kids, either - and it scares the bejeepers out of me. We have a law banning cellphone use while driving here in NY State. A five mile drive on any highway in the state will prove how ineffective THAT is!

I embrace paradigm shifts even though I’m an official geezer, but not actions that endanger the safety of others. (How about we get ourselves into med school and specialize in hand and wrist surgery, deber? Something tells me it will be the "in" specialty!)

By Susan Crawford on 08/18/2009 8:32 am