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

I think it's better than nothing, but I would prefer a law that forbids cell phone use of any kind (not even handsfree) while driving, since recent studies have shown that drivers are "impaired" while talking on the cell phone.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

All of the research on cell phone use and driving indicates, unequivocally, that it is NOT the use of the hands that interferes with driving. Rather, it is the mental activity required to concentrate on the cell phone activity that detracts from the ability to simultaneously concentrate on driving adequately. Any bill that provides for use of hands free phones ignores this research and is simply a political ploy so the politicians can jump on the "popular" bandwagon and say they are doing something about the problem.

Answer 4

Considering that all studies indicate that there is no difference between using a cell phone regularly or with a hands-free set, of course it's a waste of time. What matters is that there is a distraction and the distraction maintains when you're on the phone.

So many bills that waste our legislatures' time.

Answer 5

It is a total waste. Cell phones use while driving needs to be banned. Cell phones need to be banned period.

I almost rear-ended a woman who was on a cell phone. I was on my way to pick up a friend of mine from work. I came around this corner and the ***** had parked her car in the fastlane. She turned the car off and was yelling into her cellphone. And she just sat there! I slammed on my brakes and almost hit her car. Right behind me was a semi truck. He had to slam on his brakes but he still missed me by about a foot.

I've gotten into a hobby of turning my cell phone off while I drive. I live in Virginia and these fvcks drive like they're at Talladega or the Brickyard or whatever. So I don't need the distratcion.

Answer 6

i think it's pretty pointless,I'm from New York where this is already a law, not many people pay any heed to this;especially not the younger people 18-25.