British teen imprisoned for texting-related death
It goes without saying that talking whilst driving (let alone texting) isn't exactly the safest practice, and unfortunately for a British teenager, she could have four solid years to think about it. Rachel Begg, who was found to have used her cellphone nine different times in the 15 minutes prior to crashing into a grandmother's vehicle and subsequently killing her, was recently found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison. To make matters worse, Begg was driving nearly 70 miles-per-hour on a dark, rainy night, and the judge reportedly emphasized how costly her lack of reason was. Better leave the texting 'til after the ride's over, eh?[Via Textually, image courtesy of BrockportStylus]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt @ Jul 22nd 2007 11:31PM
Thats sad. How can you be so careless to text and drive? If holding a phone to yor ear and driving is illegal, dont you think ding something with two hands is worse?
Iain @ Jul 23rd 2007 9:32AM
Well, it would seem logical but if you read this story: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/07/19/texting-while-driving-irks-ny-senator/
It would seem that in New York, it's illegal to make calls whilst driving but texting is fine, which is just, well, an idiotic piece of legislature.
Failedgrace @ Jul 23rd 2007 11:56AM
@lain: I think the story was saying that the senator wanted to make texting while driving illegal.
Iain @ Jul 24th 2007 12:14AM
Thank, I know that's what the article was about, I didn't mean to imply that the Senator was pushing for legislation that doesn't allow calls but allows texting.
However, that would seem to be what is already in place which, as I said before, just seems so incredibly stupid.
You shouldn't be allowed to use a phone at all whilst driving IMO, it's incredibly dangerous and anyone who does so shouldn't be allowed to drive.
Failedgrace @ Jul 24th 2007 10:59AM
Well, I tend to think a lot while in the car and therefore need to use my phone because I remember people I have to call. So it's hard to avoid using a phone all the time, but when I do I use my bluetooth. Unfortunately, I can't find my bluetooth...