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Posted on 04/26/2006 11:58:53 AM PDT by BerniesFriend
Skeptics: Cell phone ban unenforcable
Posted: April 26, 2006 07:06 AM CDT
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Skeptics say it will be impossible to enforce, but a ban on cell phone use while driving moved through a House committee today.
The measure would bar new drivers from using cell phones while driving until they've had their driver's license for one year.
The sponsor, Representative Dale Erdey, says the bill was designed to prevent accidents and highway fatalities caused by driver distraction.
First offenders could be punished with fines of 150 dollars, 16 hours of community service or both. Repeat offenders would face a 250 dollar fine, 24 hours of community service or both.
Representative William Daniel tried to remove the fines from the bill, arguing that parents would wind up paying them because most of the drivers affected would be teenagers. His amendment failed.
Daniel called the bill a "noble cause" but said it would create a quagmire of paperwork in the court system, when police officers would have to use drivers' phone records to prove their guilt.
The House Transportation Committee passed the measure without objection, sending it to the full House for debate.
Good bill as long as they amend it saying that one is allowed to shoot left-lane hogs who are yacking on their cell and going 10mph under the limit.
Better that they mandate drivers education courses that emphasize pulling over when you get a call or alternatives to driving and yakking simultaneously.
If there weren't *other* drivers on the road, I'd just suggest letting Darwin take its course.
I always wanted a law that gave each of us one and only one car-to-car rocket in our lifetime. Road courtesy would be immensely improved.
There's not really an answer, but gosh I am amazed at the number of people who cannot be off their cell phone for any length of time. It is as if they cannot stand the idea of solitude with only their own thoughts. Wonder what accounts for that.
susie
This is a silly and illogical excuse.
When stopped for speeding, the officer does not have to provide written corroborating evidence.
What's the difference?
Just confiscate the phone as part of the citation. If someone challenges the ticket and makes obtaining the phone records necessary, the fines are doubled. If he/she does not challenge, the phone is returned immediately.
What's the problem?
If the nationalized .08 BA is good law (and it was pushed through in each state as a part of a national agenda), then there definitely needs to be a ban on handheld cell phone use while driving.
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THat's it.
Pass ANOTHER stupid, unenforceable law.
Sheesh
I always wanted a 50 caliber machine gun mounted to the hood of my car. But a rocket would be a nice touch.
Total insecurity is one reason. The world can't get along without their input for an hour oe even 15 minutes.
The other is a totally empty brain, requiring constant input to keep from falling asleep of boredom.
Yes, I am serious.
Think about it.
Not unless simply holding a phone to your ear is made a crime...
How difficult is it to lie?
I'd say that the best that can be done would be to have a "hands-free" requirement. For instance, Chicago put one in place last year.
Many would prefer being allowed to shoot left-lane hogs going only 10 mph over the posted limit.
What's next?
We can't smoke in our car? (Umm, actually, that might be illegal in many states already).
We can't listen to radios in our car?
We can't sing in our car?
Seriously, each of these is equally a distraction, why is it that cell phones --ala the eeevil SUV-- are personified and made to be a specific determinant of an accident.
The truth, of course, is the other common denominator in this scenario: the driver!
Bad drivers are bad drivers. People who don't pay attention are, simply, people who don't pay attention.
I suppose we have to find something to blame it on. What's wrong with saying, "This person is a moron and shouldn't be driving a car!"
Oh yeah, that might hurt someones feelings.
I miss the days when cell phones were rare and expensive. One had to weigh whether one would even accept a call on the cell.
With the cheap plans today, all sorts of nitwits, idiots and screwballs have the capacity to yak through a one hour commute.
Is it just me, or is it rare to see a woman behind the wheel who is not on a cell? And not to be racist, but I never see a female driver of color without a phone in the ear.
What are they all talking about? ..and who's paying these bills?
Those are as good a thought on it as I've seen. I personally like having time to think without someone else's voice droning on and on.....
susie
I'm all for it if the bill would also prohibit singing along with the radio, changing radio stations, talking to passengers, putting on makeup, reading the newspaper or other papers, shaving, eating, mandating 8 hours of sleep the night before you drive ... need I go on ?
Another stupid, pointless law . We can't enforce the ones we already have, so they want to add another. Yeah, good idea.
Cops will have another excuse to stop us and give us a ticket
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