Legislating stupidity

General General Discussion
1

It’s a sad statement that there’s enough people so stupid that they text while driving, enough so, a no-texting-while driving law was passed in MA.

When I get in the car, before I start the car moving, I put my wireless hands-free in my ear, and never make phone calls unless stopped, etc. This sh&%^ is not rocket science…

It’s astounding to me a law has to be passed because people are really that dumb. The few times I had to respond to a text when in the car, I pulled into a parking lot, etc to respond.

I understand the reason for such a law, but attempting to legislate common sense - yet again reminding how dumb and inconsiderate most people are - never seems to actually improve the situation.

[i]Governor Deval Patrick yesterday signed into law legislation making Massachusetts the 29th state to ban texting behind the wheel for all drivers and any cellphone use for those under 18.

Violations will result in a $100 fine, and drivers under 18 will also have their licenses suspended for 60 days and be required to complete a safety course. The offenses will not be considered moving violations and will not result in insurance surcharges.

The law, the product of intense lobbying by safe-driving advocates and families of loved ones lost in fatal accidents, will take effect in 90 days, in October. It also requires drivers 75 and older to take vision tests and renew their licenses in person, rather than online.

The governor signed the bill in his office, surrounded by lawmakers, state officials, and relatives of those who have been killed in texting-related crashes. Bumper stickers placed around the bill read “Drive Now, Text Later.’’[/i]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/07/03/new_state_law_spells_it_out_no_texting_behind_wheel/

Man people suck.

2

Whatever, dude. I text and email while driving all the time. So does everyone else on the beltway.

B_C

3

I saw in the news recently that a cop was texting while driving at a high rate of speed and crashed. I wonder if he got a ticket. :o

“Scientific tests” show that a person texting while driving is less capable of responding to hazards than someone who is legally drunk.

4

AS the old joke goes, we’re better off having drunks behind the wheel than texters. At least the drunks are trying to drive…

5

this is not going to change accident rates, despite the fact that fatal accidents haev been dropping since the 80s but we’ve been using the cell phone more. More looking tough and revenue stream. This only eliminates one out of a million other ways to get distracted while driving

6

It’s like that here in MI too.

Too many fucking times I’ve seen idiots almost hit me or another because they were finger fucking their damn phones.

The punishment should be sawing off one hand.

No anesthesia.

7

Oh good lord! Look, some can, some can’t! I get so damn bored when I drive that texting is about the only thing that keeps me alert at all. Do I do it during the morning commute? No. There are too many things to watch for. I will and do talk on the phone anytime. Again, some can, some can’t. I can so I will. This nanny shit makes me sick.

8

I had a girlfriend once who played a GBA while driving until I ripped it out of her hands.

Fine by me.

9

This is an ignorant set of statements. Maybe you (and everybody else) can…for now. If a person is doing anything other than concentrating on the road while driving, he or she is a danger to themselves, their passengers, and every other vehicle around them. And if a person cannot stay alert without texting, they shouldn’t be on the road at all. Even though, some may argue that texting detracts from alertness in the first place…oh yeah, which is the whole reason for this conversation in the first place.

10

I think traffic & safety could be improved nationwide with just two enforced laws:

    • No cell phone usage in an automobile.
    • The left lane is for passing only.

People are still going to do #1 but make the penalty very stiff - $500. What’s pitiful is #2 is a law on federal highways but I have never seen it enforced. No one wants to get off of cruise control…

.

11

That appears to be the problem. :rolleyes:

12

Looks like another “feel good” law that will be a PITA for LE to enforce. Has anyone written tickets for this type of law in their own states? Could have been put under existing laws of doing stupid things while driving that is dangerous/moving violations.

13

Ignorant my ass. Its true. Just because you don’t belong on the road doesn’t mean you don’t have to be. People still have work to do for customers who don’t guve a rats ass about any excuse. If I never had to drive again I would be happy. There are a million ways to get in a wreck. You can’t outlaw them all. Demonizing a cell phone is just ignorant and lazy. The problem is that it works. That is the same tactic used by the brady campaign to take guns away. Maybe I am old fashioned when I say that legislators should mind their own business.

Every time you get on the road you are taking a risk. There are no guarantees. My sister just died in a car accident a few moths ago. She took a risk and lost. That was her fault. You are fooling yourself if you think these laws will make a difference. It will get out of hand. No eating in a car. No drinks. No stereo. Like I said before, some people can some can’t. The nanny state is upon us and we wonder why we are losing our freedoms.

14

Similar tests also showed that listening to the radio while driving is almost as dangerous. I don’t see them banning radios in cars. Although lets not give them any idea.

For the record I don’t text or email while I drive but I do talk on the phone a lot. (Using a headset)

15

checking out that hot babe jogging trying to keep this a 10 is dangerous as well. Theres still a million other ways to get distracted which are unenforceable.

16

All the laws against handheld cell phone use make people think handsfree is safe. It is not.

Any distraction is unsafe, some drivers are better at managing the distractions and keeping enough focus on the road.

17

Our company, who has 500+ 18-wheelers, service trucks, cars, etc., forbids us to drive and use a cell phone, even in our personal vehicle if we are on company time.

I don’t think people realize the risks. Laws are needed (but need to be enforced) when people’s behavior put innocent people at risk.

I think eventually, enough outcry will force legislation to get cellphone companies to come up with a way for the GPS in cell phones to drop calls or limit them to 30 seconds, if a person is moving at a high-rate of speed.

It is a problem and I sure would hate to cause some innocent kid in the backseat of another car to be killed because I was negligent.

But maybe it’s just me…

.

18

Exactly. It is shocking how people on a gun forum don’t realize this.

B_C

19

The underlying problem is that you think it’s about demonizing the cell phone. It’s not. It’s about people using them on the road and thinking that they (the person using the phone) are better than they actually are. It’s not the phone, it’s the people.

It’s not the gun, it’s the person. Kind of like how it’s illegal to CCW when you’re intoxicated. As it should be.

And please accept my condolences for your sister.

20

Thank you for your condolences.

Its not just about demonizing the cell phone. It is also about government intrusion, personal accountability, and any other excuse to rape me of my herd earned money.

The important thing is that sometimes bad shit happens to good people for no reason. When its your time, its your time.

Cheers.