no cell phone use in cars

2minkey said:
well, my wang is a little sore.

what problem are we trying to solve? distracted driving? well, we should pull all stereo equipment out of cars! and no eating that cheeseburger while barreling down the interstate. conversation with passengers will become punishable by drano enema.

the answer, sir, is "strict liability" for one's actions rather a mommy state. (oh, the oppression!)

:coffee:
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Mark your calendar! We agree!
 
Dave said:
so in other words, keep making a hazard of yourself until you do cause an accident, then get out the checkbook.
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Exactly.

Laws are based upon what has happened and not on what may happen. Murder is a crime but not until it happens.

But now we have all of these laws written in prior restraint of actual damage -- helmet laws, licensing, etc. -- which takes us into the realm of "Minority Report" witch hunts. THESE ARE BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION LAWS.

Laws against distracted driving are not for safety. They are for revenue enhancement. In all things political, always follow the money.

One can be distracted yet cause no harm. The laws, written in prior restraint, criminalize the behavior in the absence of any harm being done. If one causes no actual harm, there should be no punishment. Yet these laws mete out punishment in the event of the possibility of harm being caused and seek, in whatever manner they can describe to justify them, to prevent that harm from occurring. We all know that is impossible; because murders, burglaries, assaults, and other occurrences which actually cause real harm occur every day in the face of laws to the contrary.

The problem is that Americans are being, and have been, conditioned to accept these prior restraint laws for reasons such as the cost that the real harm, should it occur, incurs. If rights can be taken for their prohibitive cost, then all rights are on the table for eventual usurpation.

Prior restraint laws are bad law.
 
You mean like DWI laws? It's okay to let people drive while sauced out of their gourds because it's okay right up until the actually hit someone?

Driving while on the phone is more dangerous than DWI. http://www.psych.utah.edu/AppliedCognitionLab/DrivingAssessment2003.pdf

Even if you are using a bluetooth device, the level of distraction is the same. It's the conversation with someone blind to the situation the driver is facing that's the issue.

Radio: People don't interract with their radios
Passengers: In the same situation as the driver and can STFU if the driver needs to react to changing driving situations...like sharp curves, steep inclines, etc...
Food/Coffee/Smokes: Only distracting in the case of 'dropped' items.
Kids: Worst than other passengers, mostly because they don't give a fuck what's going on with the car/driver/situation. Their drama is EVERYTHING!

**
On a related note: This new 'idea' would also stop passengers from using their cell phones and would stop the use of a cell phone to call for help if you are in an accident or if you witness someone else in an accident.
 
What I see on a daily basis on the interstate:
Driver passing me going 80+mph, one wrist draped over the steering wheel, torso leaning towards the right and a cell phone being held to their ear.
I want that person off the roads. I don't care what law they use to do it.

The over riding theme I hear from people that are always on the phone is: Its MY phone in MY car and I'LL talk on it if I want to.
Maybe the nanny state restraint laws wouldn't be necessary if people were a lot less self involved and had concern for others around them.
 
catocom said:
A 20 year old young man just got killed close by here today.
A long time family friend witnessed it, and said he was on a phone,
when he jerked the wheel.
We have a last name, and are trying to find out if it was our neighbors' son
across the street.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/41723/

I'm torn between the loss of freedom, and safety on this one.
I can see maybe...maybe outlawing the use of a handheld, but not
headsets, and or other wireless.
I may have to get a earpiece blue tooth soon.
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update
GAINESVILLE - The victim of Monday's fatal wreck in the East Hall area was reportedly texting while driving.

The state patrol says that's according to a passenger who was in the car.

Troopers say the driver lost control on Harmony Church Road near the Hall-Jackson county line, ran onto the left shoulder, over-corrected, and crossed the eastbound lanes onto the other shoulder. They say the driver over-corrected again and the car began to slide down the road, striking an oncoming vehicle.
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http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=233976

Seems to me that texting is the absolute worst.
Texting stats are going to be the main cause of regulation.
 
Dave said:
Maybe the nanny state restraint laws wouldn't be necessary if people were a lot less self involved and had concern for others around them.
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so by that logic, all laws... golly why is murder illegal? i mean, we should all know better, right? (i'm not being clever, i'm essentially agreeing that we do need some laws to attenuate the asshole-it-tude of the few... well, or the many, depending on your opinion of human nature. though i'm not sure this is one of those situations where we need a law. i would like to see cops give tickets for [at least] careless driving to folks like your example idiot driver.)
 
Treat cell phone use like a DUI, and start put people in prison.

Force people into public transportation.

Integrate cell phones with the vehicle.

Make cars that cannot exceed the speed limit.

Cars that self-report when you do a rolling stop.

Seats that report to the government when your fat index becomes too high.
 
Dave said:
What I see on a daily basis on the interstate:
Driver passing me going 80+mph, one wrist draped over the steering wheel, torso leaning towards the right and a cell phone being held to their ear.
I want that person off the roads. I don't care what law they use to do it.
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Has that driver caused an accident or do you simply feel threatened? If no law has been broken, why does your discomfort outweigh his right to travel?
 
Gonz said:
Has that driver caused an accident or do you simply feel threatened? If no law has been broken, why does your discomfort outweigh his right to travel?
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Please don't tell me you seriously condone that type of driving.
 
Dave said:
Please don't tell me you seriously condone that type of driving.
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I am more afraid of government than some twit behind the wheel.

I answerd yours, now answer mine.
Gonz said:
Has that driver caused an accident or do you simply feel threatened? If no law has been broken, why does your discomfort outweigh his right to travel?
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Fair enough.

Yes, I do find it threatening. There have been plenty of studies that show talking on a cell while driving results in much slower reaction times, much like driving under the influence. People are deluding themselves into believing they can talk on a cell and still drive effectively.

Aside from speeding, possibly driving to endanger depending on how one might interpret that. As I stated earlier, I don't care what law is used, so long as that particular behavior is officially discouraged.

I'm not questioning his right to travel. I'm questioning his "right" to gab on the phone while speeding on the interstate.
 
Studies have shown all kinds of stuff. The interstate is about as good a place as any to talk on the phone while driving. All vehicles going one direction. No cross streets. Limited access. Seems relatively safe.

I'm in favor of arresting people that drive too slowly (far more dangerous).

I'd suggest, take it up with your state legislature. This is, after all, the United STATES of America & this is a state matter, not a federal one.

For the record, I think cell phone useage should be left alone. Use existing laws to discourage & use existing laws for chargeablew accidents.
 
My experience is that sometimes I can safely operate my phone with no problem, other times I cannot. Much of that depends on what is happening around me and my vehicle.

I always watch what the other cars are doing, including those with potential to cross my path. I guess it's more of good judgment issue, a personal responsibility thing.


BUT.... according to the government, since driving is not right, we should ignore the premise that anyone has any rights when it comes to keeping everyone safe. Keeping us safe from everything is now their job.

Hey Dave, buy a 4,500lb 8cyl SUV and beef it up, that will win out against most of the little cars in a collision.
 
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