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Drivers: Texting illegal in Columbus City Council passes ban; law will go into effect on May 5
Columbus Dispatch ^ | April 6, 2010 | Robert Vitale

Posted on 04/06/2010 4:01:13 PM PDT by mlocher

Cols sez u cant txt & drv after 5/5.

City Council members approved a texting-while-driving ban last night within Columbus' 225 square miles. It will go into effect May 5 on all streets and highways within the city's boundaries.

Although advocates expect Ohio legislators to enact a statewide ban this year, the local law's sponsor said Columbus needed to act to rein in what he called the most-dangerous behind-the-wheel distraction.

"We cannot wait any longer," Councilman Andrew J. Ginther said.

Columbus joins Cleveland and Toledo among the state's big cities - and Bexley among those in central Ohio - in telling drivers they can't write, send or read cell-phone messages while they're operating a motor vehicle.

Drivers also won't be able to check e-mail or use the Internet, whether it's by phone, computer or personal digital assistant.

Police Chief Walter Distelzweig said officers consider texting and driving a growing danger, but he added that they will use discretion on enforcement.

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


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: Ohio
KEYWORDS: columbus; driving; texting
This is either another "feel good" law that will not be enforced, or it will be a massively enforced law to get more revenue for the city of Columbus.
1 posted on 04/06/2010 4:01:13 PM PDT by mlocher
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To: mlocher
it will be a massively enforced law
And you think texting and driving is okay?
2 posted on 04/06/2010 4:03:50 PM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: mlocher

It’s a crying shame it has to come to this, but at least this is a common sense law that should be enforced.


3 posted on 04/06/2010 4:14:10 PM PDT by vpintheak (Love of God, Family and Country has made me an extremist.)
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To: mlocher

Considering that my father’s very healthy 80-something year old friend (of over 50 years) was just crippled by a texting limo driver who veered out of his lane, I certainly hope this is massively enforced!!!

Shattered leg and arm, surgery, pins, minimum 6 months of PT to learn to walk again, all because the limo driver ignored the law.


4 posted on 04/06/2010 4:14:39 PM PDT by Cousin Eddie
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To: mlocher

This law means nothing. If common sense doesnt prohibit one from texting and driving, neither will another law. Im inclined to think that the most that will come from it is increased revenue and very little in the way of safety.


5 posted on 04/06/2010 4:20:51 PM PDT by D1X1E
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To: mlocher

I don’t care if they are texting or eating a bowl of cereal.

Just cite them for reckless driving.

Do we need all these stupid laws?


6 posted on 04/06/2010 4:21:47 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions...$1 Halfbaked...50c)
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To: mlocher
law that will not be enforced,

Bingo. Unless you are on a freeway in Columbus, you are not going to be pulled over for speeding, turn signal, texting, etc on a surface road. CPD (except freeway patrol) doesn't do road rule violations unless it's an excuse for probable cause.

7 posted on 04/06/2010 4:29:03 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
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To: mylife

You win the “Common Sense of the Day” Award! There are already laws on the book that would cover the case of someone being distracted by texting.


8 posted on 04/06/2010 4:35:11 PM PDT by mlocher (USA is a sovereign nation)
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To: mlocher

It’s a pet peeve of mine.

The legal system just gets more and more bloated.


9 posted on 04/06/2010 4:37:56 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions...$1 Halfbaked...50c)
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To: mylife
You are correct, we already have laws on the books for reckless driving. That can cover any range of behavior that results in being a danger on the road: Applying makeup, fussing with the GPS, trying to dig a CD out of the back seat, texting, etc.

We don't need all these new laws. Just enforce laws that already exist.

Passing a law specific to texting is as silly as passing a law that makes it illegal to bludgeon somebody with a pencil. We already have laws on the book for assault and battery, why would we pass a special law prohibiting assault and battery with a pencil?

10 posted on 04/06/2010 4:44:27 PM PDT by SamAdams76 (I am 13 days away from outliving Jack Kerouac)
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To: mlocher

I am hoping to see laws against applying make-up, reading books, reaching for things in the backseat, etc., too. Duh. Whatever happened to plain old “inattentive driving” as a basis for a citation?


11 posted on 04/06/2010 4:47:10 PM PDT by PackerBoy (Just my opinion ....)
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To: SamAdams76

Because Drones love new laws backed upon their backs.


12 posted on 04/06/2010 4:48:26 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions...$1 Halfbaked...50c)
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To: SamAdams76

BTW. I just lost a coworker to a car accident were some moron dropped his cigarette and crossed the center line while reaching for it.

Of course the knucklehead survived with out a scratch.


13 posted on 04/06/2010 4:51:45 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions...$1 Halfbaked...50c)
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Because Drones love new laws placed upon their backs.


14 posted on 04/06/2010 4:52:44 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions...$1 Halfbaked...50c)
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To: mlocher

First they came for the cigarettes...then they came for my cell phone....


15 posted on 04/06/2010 5:18:50 PM PDT by Eagle Eye (The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.)
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To: Eagle Eye

“First they came for the cigarettes...then they came for my cell phone....”

And if after that you still can’t figure out that you need 100% of your focus on driving the vehicle then I hope they come for your license next, and your vehicle as well if necessary.


16 posted on 04/06/2010 6:34:26 PM PDT by AussieJoe
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To: AussieJoe

Yep. Some of you need government more than the rest of us.

ANYTHING less than 100% focus should be criminal, right?

Right?


17 posted on 04/07/2010 7:55:03 AM PDT by Eagle Eye (The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.)
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To: Eagle Eye

“ANYTHING less than 100% focus should be criminal, right?

Right?”

Considering how lethal a vehicle at speed is, yes.


18 posted on 04/07/2010 8:45:15 AM PDT by AussieJoe
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