Don't Answer That! Or: What About Texting?
Today California joins New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, and 20 other countries around the world in outlawing hand-held mobiles while we drive.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign a bill today making California the fourth state in the nation to outlaw speaking on cell phones while driving unless the driver is using a headset or other hands-free device, his office announced Thursday.Cells phones are apparently the leading cause of distracted-driving accidents in California. This new law begins January 1, 2008 and will carry with it a $20 fine for the first infraction and $50 for subsequent violations. This article, however, doesn't mention texting which can be even more dangerous while driving.
17 Comments:
Looks like there will be a big market for Bluetooth handsfree opening up in California.
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next we will have to ban dancing and driving
On a recent in-state trip, my husband had to repeated stomp on his breaks to avoid a car that kept partially weaving into our lane. The driver was texting. Even honking didn't seem to discourage him long.
We already have that law in the UK but its very hard to police and the fine needs to be much higher.I drive for a living and see people on their phones all the time even going past me at 80mph with the phone to their ear.
It's $90.00 in NYC.
congrats on the blog of note!
We are surrendering our freedom one element at a time.
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My company already bans the use of cell phones when driving.
The figures show accidents are less likely so they save on insurance costs as long as they impose a ban.
Wait for it it's coming your way!
Hooray for the governor! I think there should be a world wide ban on it but why wait till 2008!
"I hope they don't outlaw hand helds here"
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Research in the UK, USA and Australia has thrown up some unexpected facts on using cell phones while driving. Did you know you're more likely to have an accident while talking on the phone than if you're over the alcohol limit? See if you can pass the mobile phone driving test!
These laws are little more than band-aids. Research has shown that it's the act of having a conversation, not the fact of doing it with a cell-phone, which distracts people to such an extent that they can't drive. Trouble is, you can't outlaw talking.
Politicians pass laws like this to make us think they are doing something about the issue, when in reality, they can't solve the problem.
Here in Australia we have had these laws for some time. But it doesn't stop people doing it. I see people talking on there phones all the time when driving. some people are easy to spot as they swerve on the road, go slower than the rest of the traffic, or drive strait through stop signs. I can't see what a $20 dollar fine is going to do.
When will governments get serious about fines. I mean here in Australia you get a $100 dollar fine for speeding, up to a $1000 dollar fine for littering, and a $5000 dollar fine for running onto a sports stadium. It really shows where the governments priorities are and its not in saving peoples lives.
$20 get serious take there phone off them, no wait better still take there car of them that will make them think twice about putting peoples lives at risk.
Something to Chew
Wow, lots of different comments on both ends of the spectrum. So what do you think about talking versus texting? I'm thinking it's worse to text because you have to look at the sceen on your mobile but maybe you spend more time distracted during a voice conversation and that is worse overall?
geez..that sounds pretty good. I wish they will enact those things here in the Philippines. Thats pretty safe rather than posting a lousy reminder.
hey, i forgot something. regarding what Biz said. there's audio texting right?..so i think that's applicable.
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