Posted on 07/13/2006 3:02:43 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday condemned one of the most prototypical Los Angeles driving practices — grasping a steering wheel with one hand and a cellphone with the other — and gave a strong boost to legislative efforts to outlaw hand-held mobile phones throughout California.
During an online interview with a reporter broadcast over the Internet, Schwarzenegger called such driving distractions "terrible" and "inexcusable" and said: "We have to see if the right way to go is through a bill or any other way, but I think we must make sure that people don't use phones, because it not only endangers them but it endangers everyone else out there."
He said he has tailed his 16-year-old daughter, Katherine, while she was driving and warned her she would be taking the bus if he caught her using her cellphone while behind the wheel.
For the last five years, California lawmakers have introduced bills banning hand-held cellphones but to no avail. But in May, the measure squeezed through the state Senate, which had been the strongest place of resistance, with no votes to spare. The bill will be voted on in the Assembly next month; because that chamber approved a similar measure in 2003, its prospects are considered strong, and one committee has already endorsed it.
Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), the sponsor of SB 1613, said he was encouraged by Schwarzenegger's comments. "... If approved by the Assembly and signed by Schwarzenegger, Simitian's bill would make driving while using a hand-held cellphone an infraction, punishable by a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for subsequent ones. The rule would take effect July 1, 2008, and would be enforced by the CHP as well as local police and sheriff's departments.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
What next? Outlawing buttons in cars?
Oh Conan, protect us from ourselves!!!
I'd rather him sponser a bill that allows me to run those cell phone users off the road when they are going 45 mph in the fast lane......*wink*
Peachy! I know what's next cowgirl. Ten and Two. I see a future law that requires all drivers to keep their hands in the ten and two position. If you slip and accidently find the nine and three position you will be fined $20! You don't even want to know what the fine will be for keeping both hands at the six o'clock position!
No, outlawing driving without both hands on the wheel at all times. Oh, and no daydreaming or "zoning out," either.
That might pose some issues for those of us driving standards :)
More feel-good legislation that fails to address the underlying problem. Several studies have shown it's not holding the phone that causes distraction, it's the conversation with a disembodied voice who's in a different mental space. (No, this doesn't mean all cell phone use should be banned).
Those will be outlawed too! :-)
So I guess it's all right to be distracted by a voice-activated, hands-free phone.
As bad as I hate to admit it, I think we have a problem. People tend to slow way down or weave with them. It doesn't make sense to me though. We can talk to passengers and listen to the radio without any problem while driving with one hand.
And the famous saying will be changed to "In the Spring a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of keeping his eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel."
Will I be able to use a regular handset if I rubber-band the phone to my head? See officer - no hands.
Why not just ban driving? It's dangerous you know? Someone might get hurt.
At the rates states are going it might actually be a viable product...
I think I'll rush out and purchase stock in blue tooth companies.
It's better to use a hands-free cell phone arrangement while driving a car.
That way you still have a free hand for your handgun.
Just another reason why I won't vote for him. He will be the first Republican ever that I have not voted for in the general election. Why? Because he's not a Republican. It would be like voting in the Dem primary for the less radical Dem. I will check out the third parties, and see if one looks ok. If not, I won't vote for anyone. I'll wait til the GOP runs a Republican.
Arnold's got a little Nazi left in him, doesn't he?
I hope this is just "don't get outflanked to the left by Phil Angelides" election-year hot air that never leads to enacted legislation. Scary.
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