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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsTransportation2yrs ago

Should the government increase penalties for distracted driving?

Distracted driving penalties aim to deter dangerous behaviors, such as texting while driving, to improve road safety. Proponents argue that it deters dangerous behavior, improves road safety, and reduces accidents caused by distractions. Opponents argue that penalties alone may not be effective and enforcement can be challenging.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 23.8k America voters.

70%
Yes
30%
No

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 23.8k America voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @9N5WBYD from Oregon  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but part of the issue is that mass adoption touchscreens in cars requires greater attention than analog consoles and should be addressed first.

 @9P9DXRG from Colorado  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but 'penalties' is too vague considering they vary from state to state.

 @9P82WP2 from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Public awareness campaigns are more effective than the negligible deterrent effect of increased punishments for civil offenses and misdemeanors in nearly every case.

 @9SXRDP2 from Virginia  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only by increased penalties for injuries and property damage in crashes caused by distracted driving, not by new laws.

 @9WMX494 from New York  answered…2yrs2Y

I am satisfied with the current penalties for distracted driving. It should also depend if someone was killed or injured or not.

 @9MPYFLR from Texas  answered…2yrs2Y

No, but it should provide tax breaks for buyers of cars with technology that allows drivers to interface with their smartphones via the entertainment system instead of holding their phones in their hands

 @9TTJ364 from Ohio  answered…2yrs2Y

To address the issue of distracted driving the government should invest in public transit - less drivers = less car fatales

 @9TW63B6 from Pennsylvania  answered…2yrs2Y

Depends on how many offenses the individual has. I believe that they deserve a second chance, but after that, yes, increase the penalties.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2yrs2Y

Elizabeth Warren Walks Back Murder Comments

Congressional Democrats broadly denounced the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Friday morning, after Republicans started accusing Sen. Elizabeth Warren of excusing violence.“No one's condoning this,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.). “Violence never is the right answer for anything. And it was a horrible murder, a tragic loss for his family.” Warren this week condemned the shooting, but added that people “can be pushed only so far.”"We'll say it over and over," Warren said on MSNBC’S “The ReidOut.” " Violence is never the answer. This guy [Luigi Mangione] gets a trial who's allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealth, but you can only push people so far, and then they start to take matters into their own hands."In a statement to POLITICO, Warren said, “Violence is never the answer. Period. I should have been much clearer that there is never a justification for murder.” Top Republicans denounced Warren's comments and the walked-back rhetoric, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) calling it “inappropriate and dangerous.”Some House Democrats asked about the incident on Thursday pivoted the conversation to discuss policy options on health care or gun safety.“I don't really know that this is really a space that Congress normally weighs in on,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). “But at the end of the day, I think it’s an opportunity, because now people are talking about health care and to talk about the fact that this industry has honestly not been as helpful as it could be.”“Violence is never the answer,” said Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.). “We know that there are people suffering, there’s great challenges in healthcare. There's great challenges, and people have, in fact, been wronged, but a process of governance is the way to address that, not violence.”And Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) who denounced the murder, said the killer should be prosecuted and that “I do know that allegedly a ghost gun was used, and we should also ban ghost guns. There's no reason for them beyond the streets.”

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Based on 23.8k responses to this question.

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iSideWith. (2026). “Should the government increase penalties for distracted driving?” — Public Opinion Poll Results. Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://www.isidewith.com/polls/5139218472

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