NPR: Government Eyes Crackdown on Texting And Driving

Okay, I can understand the argument that using a hands-free phone shouldn't be any more distracting than conversing with a passenger actually in the car -- I can poke several gaping holes in the logic, but I can understand it. I acknowledge the need for those "I promise not to play with the touchscreen while driving" disclaimers on the various HUDs that new cars have.

Texting while driving, though... glancing at messages is bad enough, but actually sending them when you're behind the wheel?

Why is this even an issue? Why is it common enough to be an issue? This should be something that crops up once or twice on the "News of the Weird" or, preferably, the Darwin Award sites -- something that is so flagrantly, suicidally idiotic that most people have to stifle a morbid laugh about it.

It shouldn't be something that's common enough to need a "Government Crackdown".

It's taking your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel. Don't people listen to The Doors?

Why not read the news while you drive, or take a frakking nap? Hey, next month is NaNoWriMo -- why not write a novel?

Arrrrgh.

---

Poll #1308644 Driver's Ed 101, Poll #1
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 28

What kind of idiot drives with no lights on in thick fog?

(Bonus points for driving a gray car on gray pavement against a gray sky with no lights.)