when are the cell phone fines going to be on a par with DUI?

[nynor]

being that the data clearly shows that using a cell phone while driving is very bad (some studies demonstrate that cell phone use while driving is worse that being legally impaired with alcohol), when are the fines and enforcement going to actually begin? talk about evidence driven regulation.... (a nod to noah930)

yeah, i know that several states have laws. i have yet to see the law enforced.

just today i was behind two drivers, separate occasions, who were talking on their phones (i could clearly see them holding the phone to their head and waving their other arm about, gesticulating, one male and the other female) and driving about 7 miles below the speed limit, erratically, etc.

seriously, when are the fines going to equal those of drunk driving? if it is as dangerous as driving while intoxicating, shouldn't the fines be as severe?

[stomachmonkey]

Only 2?

Around here you might find 2 people NOT on cell phones while driving.

Hate them.

[nynor]

these were the two that made me uncomfortable. one of them was in the canyon, coming home from snowboarding.

[Paul K]

...after people continually refuse to obey the 'hands free only' laws, and so many deaths have been attributed to the problem that some politician feels the need to 'do something about it'.

The law went into effect here on Jan 1, changing from 'work only' to 'LEO only'. I still see many, many folks on the phone while driving.

[Zeke]

What about using a cellphone while drinking?

I had to pick up a call yesterday and I wasn't prepared. I knew my driving suffered. I got off the thing ASAP.

The deal is, if I had the ear buds ready, my driving would have been just as inattentive. Cell phone and driving don't mix.

[Hugo930]

People talking on cell phones are beautiful compared to people texting on cell phones.

[Jim727]

My thought: not nearly soon enough.

In my town we had a high-school girl driving while texting. She ran over a mother and her daughter. Killed the daughter and injured the mother. Punishment: 3 years probation and 120 days jail.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/11/16/rohnert-park-woman-sentenced-in-texting-while-driving-death/

What's the message that sends?

[nynor]

good to know that i am not way off base with this one. cell phone drivers make me nuts. especially when i am on the motorcycle.

[VINMAN]

They are trying to make it a primary offense here in NJ. But even then, it wont stop anyone.

[Evans, Marv]

Added to making fines more jolting & enforcing the laws against doing it, they should also pass laws drastically increasing the punishment if it contributes to an accident.

[RWebb]

just have your overhead cover drone pop a missile into them

[rusnak]

we need more laws.

That way we can live in a big, bubble world free from harm. Free from danger. Like a rubbery prophylactic world. That would be like Heaven.

[VINMAN]

when there is a mass lack of common sense, some laws are needed.

[Tobra]

Wow, you can kill a little kid due to gross criminal negligence and it is a misdemeanor. That is just wrong.

I tend to lay on the horn when I see people talking on their phone, I need to get a louder horn I think.

[SeanPizzle]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Wow, you can kill a little kid due to gross criminal negligence and it is a misdemeanor. That is just wrong.

I tend to lay on the horn when I see people talking on their phone, I need to get a louder horn I think.

My friend just put an air horn from a late 70's Cadillac in his 4Runner. It is friggin loud.

[on2wheels52]

Couldn't they configure them so when their internal GPS detects their moving faster than, say 15 mph, they won't work?
I ride every day, checking for cell phone usage among my fellow motorists is part of my scan.
Jim

[PFFOG]

I will say it again, just require that phones DO NOT operate, except 911 if moving faster than 10 mph!

For public transportation, a couple ideas, there could be a code generator in buses and trains that unlocks the phone, or if in proximity to say 10 other devices, phone could unlock itself, there are probably other ways too.

All this would be easy with modern technology.

My question WTF is so important that instant information must be constantly flowing. You would think we would all be smarter, with all the instant info, but most are dumber.

And YES penalty's need to be as severe as DWI!!!

[wdfifteen]

DUI = too drunk to know you are a hazzard
texting = too stupid to know you are a hazzard

Penalties for texting should be at least as severe as for DUI. I agree, there should be a mechanism that turns the phone off at 10+ mph. But, I travel with my colleagues a lot and it isn't unusual for me to be driving when the other three are on the phone, texting, or checking mail. Not sure how to allow phone use in the car without allowing the driver to use the phone.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by PFFOG

All this would be easy with modern technology.

My question WTF is so important that instant information must be constantly flowing. You would think we would all be smarter, with all the instant info, but most are dumber.

The technology is there. but unfortunately the telecoms and FCC will never allow it.

What is so important? ME! thats who. I am so important and self absorbed, that everyone needs to able able to contact me 24/7. So the hell with everyone else around me!

[tharbert]

It would be a simple thing for car manufacturers to install a device that kills cell signals inside the car while moving. Then you get into the nanny state argument...

I'd personally like to replace all air bags with daggers. If you force people to deal with certain death for screwing up then they'll pay a bit more attention. All these cars with astounding safety features have put most all drivers to sleep.

My pet peeve? Law enforcement using cells while driving. You cannot pass a cop car in my part of the state where the occupant doesn't have a phone pressed to an ear. They put in more miles than most folks on the road. That, in turn, places the public at greater risk from inattentive driving. I wonder if anyone has researched the accident rate of law enforcement due to cell usage. Bet it won't be pretty. Unfortunately, if any stricter cell use laws are passed, public safety entities will be exempt.

Illinois already has a moratorium on texting while driving. My guess is that we'll soon have a cell-use-while-driving ban too.