Statewide Text Alerts in Cali
In the wake last month's Virginia Tech shootings, a company called Rave Wireless made headlines for its service that allows school administrators to quickly and easily send emergency text messages to students. Now comes word that the great state of California is looking to implement a similar alerting system sometime in the next 12 to 14 months. The system would send text messages to all mobile users in a given area -- identified by their proximity to a cell tower -- notifying them of things like storm warnings, Amber Alerts and messages from the Emergency Broadcasting System.
Interestingly, California officials are also claiming the technology could be used to send text messages to people who were in an area that was later determined to be a risk, like, say, everyone who ate at a restaurant that was found to be serving contaminated food. Given the number of shady-looking hot dog carts in the downtown L.A. area alone, that sounds like a great idea to us.
From Textually.org
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mary @ Jun 13th 2007 7:39PM
How can anyone text & drive at the same time? It's bad enough that drivers are using cell phones without hands free, how can they text hand free? It should definitely be banned, and anyone caught should be severely fined!!!!
Louise @ Jun 20th 2007 9:25PM
I truly would love to see us have to use hands-free headsets while on our cellphones. I find it most distracting and using my headset is like talking w/someone in the car, not distracting.
I definitely think texting should be banned and like another comment, heavily fined.
Dave @ Jun 21st 2007 12:35AM
Most people are not smart enough to pay attention to the things they should while driving to begin with. What makes them think they can talk on a cell phone and drive, let alone texting? In either case their driving privledges should be banned for 1 year. A repeat offender should have the privledge removed entirely!
Jack @ Jul 17th 2007 12:32AM
Text messages are like taking a step backward. What's next using Moorse Code? Every time I see a person madly texting I just laugh. I wonder what ever convinced them that text was the way to go. Sure makes the cell companies a bundle. Text people are just plain stupid..period
Ray D. @ Jul 23rd 2007 12:12PM
I think texting makes no sense anyway when you can just call, but when you are in a meeting, or at a time when you need to be quiet it is understandable. what the hell are they thinking, texting and driving is the most obtuse way of showing responsibility in a car. when people text me I call them back and say "it took me two seconds to call you try it sometime".