Planning Commissioners Journal

79% Say No to Hand-Held Cellphone Use or Texting While Driving

The final results of our March online poll are set out below. While the poll was not based on any statistical sampling, we still find the results interesting, especially in the overwhelming percentage of responses favoring the prohibition of hand-held cellphones while driving. Many, however, found a distinction between hand-held and hands-free use -- with the largest block of votes for banning hand-held use and texting, but allowing hands-free cellphones. You can also view the comments several individuals left after voting.

 

Take Our March Poll on Cellphone Use & Texting While Driving

 Our March poll focuses on a controversial issue facing state policymakers across the country: whether to impose restrictions on cellphone use and texting while driving. 

-- For perspectives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, see Distraction.gov
-- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web page on drowsy and distracted driving
-- For a report from the Highway Loss Data Institute finding no change in collision rates resulting from cellphone laws.
-- Recent NY Times article, Bills to Curb Distracted Driving Gain Momentum (Jan. 1, 2010)
-- Nationwide's 2009 Driving While Distracted Survey Results

But what do you think? 

Our poll question can be found in the upper-left sidebar of this page. 

Results from Our February Poll

Thanks to all who participated. Again, this was not a scientifically conducted poll -- but we still find the results interesting, if not surprising. Several of those who commented indicated that gender should not be a consideration in appointment to a planning commission, and one person argued that even asking this poll question was sexist.