Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Hang up phone or be fined? (CA)
LA Daily News ^ | 26 AUG. 2006 | STEVE GEISSINGER,

Posted on 08/26/2006 11:13:18 AM PDT by radar101

Motorists would be banned from using handheld cell phones - a problem blamed for thousands of vehicle crashes and fatalities - under a bill expected to be approved by the Legislature next week. Modeled after a New York City law, Senate Bill 1613 would fine drivers using handheld cell phones $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses beginning Jan. 1, 2008.

It would not apply to drivers using hands-free models and would exempt motorists using handheld cell phones in emergencies. And the legislation would remain in effect only until July 1, 2011, unless renewed.

"Cell phones are the No. 1 cause of distracted-driving accidents in California," said Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, who authored the bill as well as five previous versions.

"Accidents by drivers using handheld phones outnumber those driving hands-free by a ratio of 25 to 1," he said. "The difference between hands-free and handheld is life and death."

If SB 1613 is approved during the last week of the legislative session, it would go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for consideration.

Schwarzenegger spokesman Darrel Ng said Friday that the Governor's Office "is actively working with the author on the bill."

In working on the bill for the past six years, Simitian has managed to eliminate most of the opposition to the measure. The exception is Sprint Nextel, which issued a statement saying the bill "fails to address the real public issue of inattentive driving."

(Excerpt) Read more at dailynews.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; Philosophy; US: California
KEYWORDS: 2manylaws; bignannywatchingyou; callegislation; carnotphonebooth; cellphone; collisions; getoverit; govtgrants; govttakes; inattention; nannystate; notaright; privilege; regulation; revenooers; safetyfacists; sb1613
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-89 next last
To: bert
She was convicted of negligent man slaughter fined and sentenced to 200 hours community service..... the maximum allowed by Tennessee law.

I'd wager her real problems have just begun.

I'm opposed to most laws of the type being discussed here, but I'd pursue this woman to the end of her life and make her pay for what she negligently did. AND I'd make her life such that she would never forget what she did..

That's waht lawyers are for.

61 posted on 08/26/2006 4:33:26 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (God has blessed Republicans with political enemies who are going senile.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: dalereed
Not totally true, we talk to other pilots and get airport, and other information that isn't redially available, current wind conditions, weather condition etc. I've chit chatted with controlers that I know when transiting their area and even sometimes get special treatment as to routing. Keep in mind that every instruction from a controler you write down and repeat back to them so the communication is a lot more complicated than a cell phone. Also when in the airport service area you are not only constantly changing direction and altitude/ instruction, but communicating.

Points taken, although I'd be willing to bet that the many many hours of training that you and your fellow pilots have undergone make the typical DMV driver test look like a coloring book, does it not?
62 posted on 08/26/2006 5:09:01 PM PDT by mkjessup (The Shah doesn't look so bad now, eh? But nooo, Jimmah said the Ayatollah was a 'godly' man.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: dalereed
Yes - you're communicating to the controller, but it is with full awareness by both that you're flying, and that flying the plane is your job number one. Your unconscious place stays with the plane, and both parties to the conversation know that.
63 posted on 08/26/2006 5:58:06 PM PDT by ThePythonicCow (We are but Seekers of Truth, not the Source.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: dalereed
In other words, if you started engaging in a prolonged and engrossing discussion with a controller that was entirely unrelated to your flying the plane, I'll wager a good controller would start to worry you weren't paying attention to your primary job - flying.
64 posted on 08/26/2006 6:00:31 PM PDT by ThePythonicCow (We are but Seekers of Truth, not the Source.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: radar101

Apparently, California doesn't have a "Failure to pay full time and attention" traffic law.


65 posted on 08/26/2006 6:02:54 PM PDT by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mkjessup
</SARCASM>
We applaud your personal perfection, and thank you for sharing, but I've got you totally trumped:
I can successfully negotiate bovine rush hour traffic at a cat-scalding 80+ AND conduct civil phone conversation while AT THE SAME time maintaining vigilance for motorcyclists splitting lanes AND CHP units on the prowl.

Top THAT, Scaredy Cat! </SARCASM>

Those that can, should be allowed to; those that can't... Ever heard of Darwin??

66 posted on 08/26/2006 6:06:16 PM PDT by HKMk23 (HEY! It's past 8-22-2006 and that Knickersinawad jerk is overdue! I want Armageddon or a refund!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: HKMk23
Those that can, should be allowed to; those that can't... Ever heard of Darwin??

I love Darwin!

It's the innocent wrong-place wrong-time folk I worry about. Some accidents started by the clueless are literally unavoidable.

67 posted on 08/26/2006 6:20:03 PM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: HKMk23
[/SARCASM]
We applaud your personal perfection, and thank you for sharing, but I've got you totally trumped: I can successfully negotiate bovine rush hour traffic at a cat-scalding 80+ AND conduct civil phone conversation while AT THE SAME time maintaining vigilance for motorcyclists splitting lanes AND CHP units on the prowl.
Top THAT, Scaredy Cat!
[/SARCASM]

(sigh)

Sometimes I wonder why I even get up in the morning, let alone turn on this infernal box. ;)
68 posted on 08/26/2006 6:48:30 PM PDT by mkjessup (The Shah doesn't look so bad now, eh? But nooo, Jimmah said the Ayatollah was a 'godly' man.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: savedbygrace

IT IS CALLED "negligence".Marked on the report as " Inattention"
Criminally--you don't want to be there.
Civil-Plan on not owning anything again


69 posted on 08/26/2006 6:54:11 PM PDT by radar101 (The two hallmarks of Liberals: Fantasy and Hypocrisy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: radar101
Given that most holders of CA driver's licenses can't drive and chew gum at the same time, this is a good idea. Now to fully appreciate that statement, you should remember that I'm one of this board's libertarians. I would normally oppose any intrusion by the State into otherwise harmless behavior. But this isn't harmless for a significant portion of the population. A very large percentage, for some reason, can't drive with one hand up by their ear. Ever see someone doing 45 MPH in the fast lane? Chances are they're yapping on a cell phone. 10 minutes later, you'll see them blow by you at 90; after they've hung up! But while they're having that important conversation, people are dodging them and darting from lane to lane like someone had just dropped a ladder in traffic.
70 posted on 08/26/2006 7:08:23 PM PDT by Redcloak (Speak softly and wear a loud shirt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: notpoliticallycorewrecked
A few months ago I witnessed an erratic driver on a freeway interchange. He was driving a clubcab pickup pulling a large cargo trailer. Not only was he on the phone, he was having lunch. He had the cell phone squeezed between his shoulder and his left ear. The large drink was in the left hand perched on the steering wheel, with the hamburger in right hand. Unbelievable.

In my defense, it was a damn good hamburger. ;-)

71 posted on 08/26/2006 7:33:25 PM PDT by lowbridge (I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather. Not screaming, like his passengers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: ThePythonicCow

If it was in an airport trffic area you're right, i'm talking about sector inroute controlers where you are on autopilot most of the time.


72 posted on 08/26/2006 8:04:57 PM PDT by dalereed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

I thought that it was you, but I didn't want to tell everyone. :)


73 posted on 08/26/2006 8:07:49 PM PDT by notpoliticallycorewrecked (California : home of the fruits, nuts and flakes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: Cvengr
you're right, microphones need to be placed inside the car passenger compartment and any voices sensed, used to trigger a flashing light to alert police to lock the driver up. Radios and conversations with passengers verboten! IMHO, sufficient legislation/regulation exists as 'driving under the influence' or 'reckless behavior' to provide law enforcement sufficient authority to arrest and fine an inattentive motorist.

Speaking of cops, have you ever looked at the dash of a cop car. Two way radio, computer, radar gun.. Lets talk about distractions while driving...

Al

74 posted on 08/26/2006 8:39:34 PM PDT by UpToHere
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: dalereed
Oh - ok - while inroute I can understand unrelated conversations.

If we had autopilot for cars, as has been experimented with a little bit, then cell phone conversations would be quite safe then too.

75 posted on 08/26/2006 8:41:11 PM PDT by ThePythonicCow (We are but Seekers of Truth, not the Source.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: freedumb2003
>>>>" When most people demonstrte they are incapable of being trusted with personal responsibility, society must take steps.

I am tired of idiots in SUVs who think their silly-ass little cell call is more important than my life. They drive erraticaly, drift into my lane and generally are as dangerous or more than DUI"<<<<

If that is the case, Rule #1 Don't drive, don't even try to exit your Cave! Stay home! If you believe what you say, then you put yourself and your Family in Danger each time that you open your front door.

If you think that "MY" Rights are decided by how "Safe You Feel" count me as your Enemy and see Rule #1 above and STAY HOME!

I am ready for the Scarlet "N" as in Nanny Cop, your house your drive way and your forehead. Permanent House Arrest or severely limited movement (for your own protection) complete with the ankle bracelet just to make sure that you don't wander off.

If I am going to be responsible for you, I want to know where you are at all times.

PS.... I don't drive a silly little SUV

TT
76 posted on 08/26/2006 9:04:53 PM PDT by TexasTransplant (NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: radar101

Treat them like drunk drivers. Pull them over and shoot them on the side of the road.


77 posted on 08/26/2006 9:16:25 PM PDT by TigersEye (Pull your head out of your Democrat and drive!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HereInTheHeartland
That's fine. Just make sure that you don't eat in your car, drink in your car, argue with kids in a car, get to engrossed in a radio or CD in a car, etc...
Some folks just have an irrational hatred of those who use cell phones, and want to lump everyone; responsible or not, into one catagory.

---
It's not hatred. It's not irrational. It's fear of dying by someone else's stupidity.

And anyone who's babbling on a phone while driving is acting stupid. You would think the possibility of killing one's own self would be motivation enough not to do it, but noooooo.

And don't bring up other kinds of negligent driving as an excuse for those who drive negligently because they can't control their desire to talk. That's just a smokescreen. If a person wants to talk on the phone or perform any other acts that distract from their driving, there's places set aside for these activities. They involve stopping and parking.

Hey, it's only a ton of metal, why should anyone pay any attention to the fact they're throwing it down the road at 40mph? If a person wants to drive dangerously, they shouldn't wear a seat belt. If someone kills themselves that way it's no skin off my nose.
78 posted on 08/26/2006 9:48:40 PM PDT by Cheburashka (World's only Spatula City certified spatula repair and maintenance specialist!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

Comment #79 Removed by Moderator

To: radar101

Which means they didn't really need this new law. Not really.


80 posted on 08/27/2006 6:23:32 AM PDT by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-89 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson