Posted on 11/01/2011 7:03:27 AM PDT by Tribune7
The Pennsylvania House, yesterday, Oct. 31, voted 188-7 to pass SB 314 which bans texting while driving.
Dissenting were Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-66), Daryl Metcalfe (R-12), Tom Creighton (R-37), Gordon Denlinger (R-99), Jim Cox (R-129), Scott Perry (R-92) and Stephen Bloom (R-199).
The bill allows for the use of GPS devices and entering telephone numbers into cell phones.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.billlawrenceonline.com ...
ping
A few years ago CA passed a hands-free only cell phone law.
Seemed to be effective then. I visited Sacramento and San Jose last month for the first time in over a year and was amazed to see the number of drivers with cell phones to their ears.
Here in NJ there is a cell-phone driving ban, but you still see people yammering away while driving all the time. Of course, they are easy to spot even before you see the phone. They’re like drunk drivers. I especially like the ones who have to drive with their legs so they can hold the phone in one hand, and use the other hand for gesturing and waving and emphasis.
This wouldn’t be a cell phone ban, just a texting ban. The law even exempts the entering of phone numbers.
I agree with this ban 100% but would like to see it mandated that a hands free connection, so you have both hands on the wheel while yakking on THAT DAMN Phone.
I have used a Bluetooth headset since they came out. Even my stupid phone takes voice commands. Touch your Bluetooth and say call mistress and the phone calls your mistress. We have the technology. SO everyone looks goofy with a blue tooth, it would be a much safer highway.
I cannot abide texters and yakkers. I see them all the time
holding up traffic. Another peeve are those who need to
look under the front seat for something just as the light changes.
You’re driving a car not a phone booth!
I'll go along with Metcalfe on this one; what's the difference between 'texting' and GPS/PhoneNumbers? It's a bullsplat 'feel-good' law that won't help a damn bit. Typical Democrap nonsense!
As someone who just now made the leap to a “smart phone” what I find interesting is that when you get to a phone like mine (say an Android) even the simple placing of a call *can* involve multiple screens, key presses etc.
With the old “feature phones” the placing of a call using a physical keyboard was quite simple. With the new “smart phones” and their complex screens and virtual keyboards, even simple dialing is (in my opinion) as involved as texting.
It’s so bad that sometimes even the *answering* of a phone can be a bit more complex.
And no - I’m not a moron - I’m just observing that the devices have become more complex. So that the distinction between “texting” and “dialing” is not quite so crisp as some might wish.
Technology is already making this law obsolete.
Newer phones have voice commands. I can listen to emails, texts and reply without touching my phone.
Also, more and more cars are coming standard with bluetooth, eliminating the holding phone with one hand while driving issue.
In 10 years these laws will still be on the books and nobody will understand why.
They obviously need to hire 10,000 or so phone police empowered to shoot out the tires on any car where the driver is seen driving and talking.
Good paying govt jobs.
Business for tire stores and body shops.
Other than the firearms aspect, it sounds like a plan any Democrat would love.
I tried texting while driving once. It was very stupid of me and after about two letters and ended up throwing my phone on the other seat. I have a Smart Phone and the buttons are very difficult when not driving. lol. Of course, I am 42 and not 22 who can whiz in their texting. Still dangerous just the same.
Brings back some funny memories of that show.
Thanks.
And for the record, there ARE phone cops!
I know from experience.
We have a texting ban here in Colorado, too. It hasn’t changed anything. It basically means if you get into an accident and the other guy can show you were texting, then you get some, if not all of, the blame.
OTOH, if some bozo hits me while he -- or more likely she -- is texting it's nice to know I'll have this law on my side regarding any liability dispute.
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