Requiring handsfree use while driving and using a cell phone.?

Question

I heard on the news today that the legislature must make a decision in the next few days to pass or kill this bill that would become law.
The penalties for driving and using a cell phone at the same time are $10 for the first offense and $20 for each additional violation.
It doesnt even add a point to the persons driving record.

This bill is so watered down in that the penalties are too weak and nobody will change their habits.
There is nothing that says that the ear piece has to be in the right ear instead of the left. In years past, it was forbidden to wear ear pieces in the left ear since that was the ear closest to the window. The theory was that it would be easier to hear car horns and emergency sirens.

People will still pick up the phone to dial phone numbers even if they are wearing a handsfree device.
People will still pick up the phone to answer an incoming phone call.
This is such a weak bill that it is a waste of time.

What do you think?

Answer 1

When driving you should never have any distractions - of any kind. Using a cell phone, while driving, should be out lawed and fines should be much much more - more like in the thousands.. $10 and $20 doesn't even seem like it's worth a police officers time and effort to pull a driver over.
A driver must always be aware of everything happening around them.
My employer requires our drivers to pull over and stop the vehicle before answering/using a cell phone. If they have a helper - then the helper can answer/use the cell phone at any time.
I truly wish cell phones would have never been invented. I don't own one and never will. When I'm driving I want to be fully aware of everything and no distractions. Phones at work and home are enough for me.

Answer 2

Coragryph says that we already have laws that prohibit driving while distracted.

But being on the cell phone at all -- whether it's handsfree or not -- is a distraction! This has been proven time and time again (see the link below for one such study).

Having a conversation with someone who is not in the vehicle with you and therefore does not know the situation on the road is inherently a distraction. It is 100 times more distracting and therefore more dangerous than having a conversation with a passenger.

But is this being enforced? Are people being ticketed for driving while on the cell phone (handheld or handsfree)?

The answer is almost never.

We DO require legislation that bans the use of cell phones while driving INCLUDING handsfree devices. This is not a freedom of choice or responsibility issue -- putting other people at risk of serious injury or death is not a freedom covered by the Constitution.

And, despite what Coragryph says, when a law (such as the distraction laws) are not being enforced by even 1/10 of 1 percent, then perhaps said law needs to be rewritten.

Question for Phil W: So do you think drunk-driving laws should be written to punish only those who commit a violation? No harm, no foul, but if you break a traffic law -- double whammy?

Answer 3

Coragryph says that we've already have been given regulations that cut back utilising mutually as distracted. yet being on the cell telephone in any admire -- even though if it fairly is handsfree or no longer -- is a distraction! This has been shown time and time decrease back (see the link under for one such study). Having a communique with somebody who isn't indoors the automobile with you and subsequently would not be attentive to the situation on the line is inherently a distraction. that's one hundred situations extra effective distracting and subsequently extra effective risky than having a communique with a passenger. yet is this being enforced? Are human beings being ticketed for utilising mutually as on the cell telephone (hand held or handsfree)? the respond is in basic terms approximately on no account. We DO require regulation that bans utilising cellular telephones mutually as utilising consisting of handsfree gadgets. that's not a freedom of determination or duty undertaking -- putting persons in possibility of extreme harm or dying isn't a freedom lined by using the type. And, inspite of what Coragryph says, mutually as a regulation (such utilising actuality the distraction regulations) on the prompt at the instant are not being enforced by using even a million/10 of a million %., then consistent with possibility reported regulation desires to be rewritten. question for Phil W: So do you think of of below the impact of alcohol-utilising regulations might desire to be written to punish in basic terms people who dedicate a violation? No harm, no foul, yet as quickly as you harm a internet site travellers regulation -- double whammy?

Answer 4

A tougher bill would be in order if there is to be one at all. Personally I've grown weary of people driving without regard to others. The road presumably belongs to all licensed drivers, and crossings to pedestrians. It is not simple to drive an automatic shift and talk on the phone as well. And becomes even more complicated with a stick shift, thereby making it more dangerous.

Answer 5

yeah- really hard to enforce.
Given how quiet new cars are these days- does which ear really matter?

Perhaps its there not so much as a monetary issue- but if people get in accidents- the use of a cell phone can be used as a fault issue? That could be reason enough- regardless of the miniscule penalties.

Answer 6

We don't need more redundant laws.

Most (if not all) states already have laws against driving while distracted. That includes things like putting on make-up, eating a sandwich, and driving using a cell-phone.

The only reason people want a new law is that police can't always prove that the person was distracted. So, they want to outlaw the entire behavior, even for people who aren't a problem, because that make it easier to enforce.

We don't need more redundant laws. We just need to enforce the ones we have.

Answer 7

I live in new york state and if you get caught driving while not using a hands free device $100 dollar fine. They are also trying to make hands free devices illeagle because it is still destracting and they have done tests on simulators and talking on a cell phone with or with out hands free device is the eqivilent as driving drunk because you are distracted and it lowers your reaction time!!

Answer 8

I like the city ordinance we have: If you commit a traffic error while using a cell phone (hands free or not) you get an extra penalty. No harm no foul, but if you screw up its a double whammy.

Answer 9

Scrap the bill. Unless it's made tougher.

A weak bill is worse than nothing all all.