Don't Text/Phone While Driving in CA Now.....

[John Rogers]

Starting Monday the CHP and all local PDs have starting really busting drivers using their cell phones w/o a hands free or texting here in CA. I did not relaize hao many people were going to get grabbed until yesterday when my wife and I went to have some KFC and sat out on the patio area. Just down the street was a motor cop with several cars and as a driver went by with their phone in their ear the car was waived over! One lady decided to run and she got caught a block away as they had a cut off car that stopped her! One lady was doing makeup with her left hand, talking with her right hand and steering with her elbows (I guess?)! When we finished eating, they had processed over 50 drivers, towed 3 cars and still had a lot of hours left on their shift!

[slodave]

I'm actually glad to hear this. I see so many people with a phone stuck to their ear while driving. If you are going to pass a law, you should at least enforce it.

[stomachmonkey]

Good.

[widgeon13]

It's about freaking time.

[pwd72s]

It's probably the most ignored law in Oregon...alongside the 65 limit on I-5. Has been in effect for over a year now...

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by slodave

I'm actually glad to hear this. I see so many people with a phone stuck to their ear while driving. If you are going to pass a law, you should at least enforce it.

I had a discussion about this with a CHO officer while we had lunch ( Random Stranger)

I asked him about this law and asked all of the things that they do while driving. 2 different radios, their computer plus the can talk while on their phone with out hands free.

If the powers that be pass laws, it needs to be on everyone.

All animals are created equal, some just more equal than others

[sc_rufctr]

Seeing someone with a phone stuck to their head annoys me too but even with a hands free people can become distracted when talking to someone on the phone.

When you think about it what's the difference between holding a phone to your head or talking on an hands free?
Besides the obvious difference of actually having to hold the phone not much especially if you drive an automatic car.

I used to use a Blue Tooth hands free in my car but since going to an iPhone I've "retired" it.
Not that it didn't work with my iPhone but it's just a PITA answering a phone while driving. Also having to "connect" to the hands free every time you get in is a hassle.

So I just put my iPhone in a small pocket in the console and ignore it when I'm driving.

If it's important they'll leave a message...

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

I had a discussion about this with a CHO officer while we had lunch ( Random Stranger)

I asked him about this law and asked all of the things that they do while driving. 2 different radios, their computer plus the can talk while on their phone with out hands free.

If the powers that be pass laws, it needs to be on everyone.

All animals are created equal, some just more equal than others

I was going to mention this as well. Seems like emergency personnel have a lot more distractions to deal with. Most of the cops I see on the cell while driving, don't seem to be talking to other cops.

I still think it's about time they start enforcing the law though or get rid of it.

[Jim Bremner]

500,000 miles of driving with a cell.

Phone usage of 4k minutes a month.


I think some people can do it while others can't I just really hate having laws that need to be written to the lowest common denominator

[motion]

Dang, this is gonna get expensive for me. Ah well, met a cute as heck female motorcycle cop recently while getting busted for talking on the cell.

Note: another activity perfectly legal in Montana.

[BeyGon]

It seems when you are driving on the freeway here and someone is holding up traffic, when you finally get by them, they are on the phone. Good, the law has been on the books and they have been looking the other way.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

...
I think some people can do it while others can't I just really hate having laws that need to be written to the lowest common denominator

Well that's just it. Why can't people behave in a safe manner on the road?

And why can't people simply not answer a phone when it's ringing?

[motion]

Fascists! You guys should take a cue from the rest of the world and relax a bit. Jeeeesh.

[campbellcj]

What cracks me up is the people who hold the phone close in front of their face with one hand, using the built-in speakerphone, instead of holding it up to their ear. WTF difference is that supposed to make? It actually seems worse to me, yet I believe it is legal per our current law.

[Tobra]

100% driven by revenue generation.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by campbellcj

What cracks me up is the people who hold the phone close in front of their face with one hand, using the built-in speakerphone, instead of holding it up to their ear. WTF difference is that supposed to make? It actually seems worse to me, yet I believe it is legal per our current law.

I notice (and laugh) at that too!

Not sure. You can use the speaker, but I think the law is "hands free".

[Rick Lee]

Texting while driving should be treated the same as a DUI. I'd love to see such a law vigorously enforced.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Texting while driving should be treated the same as a DUI. I'd love to see such a law vigorously enforced.

Texting while driving just doesn't make sense to me.

A txt message is NEVER in need of an urgent reply. (well hardly ever)

[Rick Lee]

The only thing that could be almost as urgent as paying attention to the road would be calling 911. Nothing else. At least most DUI arrestees think they were ok to drive home. 100% of texters know they're texting while driving.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by motion

Fascists! You guys should take a cue from the rest of the world and relax a bit. Jeeeesh.

Like Australia?