Textind and driving, how can we stop it ??

[JavaBrewer]

Easy to disable phones traveling > 10 mph unless paired via Bluetooth but for the millions who travel in car pools and public transport that is not realistic. If devices could detect the mode of travel then we might have something to work with.

Text messaging is handled with in car pairing very nicely with my Windows phone. Reads the message back to me and prompts for respond or quit. I'm sure iOS and Android do this too right?

I'm with folks suggesting higher penalties - and some tech updates. On a side note - I was in traffic a while back on I-15 and noted the CHP next to me was on his phone. I was going acknowledge him but he didn't see me...

[craigster59]

$500 first offense

$1500 second offense

Loss of license for 1 year third offense

[GH85Carrera]

Money alone will be a start. The real pain it to sentence them to community service. Several weekends of picking up trash along the highway & they pay for 100% of the cost of the program. Have the local newspaper publish their mug shot as sentenced for texting & driving.

[Reddog2]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Small RF jammers in every car with a four foot range. If the wheels are turning the jammer is on.

Bang On. As i stated in post 2. But car goes into drive - jammer goes on. No fines, no education required.

Don't see the problem - you got seat belts, air bags, TPS, ABS etc etc. Just add 1 more.

[scottmandue]

I can't believe you guys... most of you are first in line to complain about "the nanny state" are screaming for more laws and higher fines.

Fact 1. = We don't have enough LEO to enforce the laws already on the books, just look at the DUI situation.

Fact 2. = We already have cars that take voice commands, you can change the radio or adjust the air conditioning hands free. Heck, I installed a hands free bluetooth radio in my 1996 Miata, and my smartphone can text via voice. The tech is already here.

Fact 3. = Yes, there will still be idiots driving with a phone to their ear and texting and driving... as they say "you can't fix stupid"

[JAR0023]

MS Hwy Patrol just started an initiative against distracted driving. Not much teeth to it but they are trying to raise awareness. They are using unmarked cars to observe drivers then will radio to a marked unit for the stop. Just so happens the started in my back yard on a game weekend. In the 10 miles from here to town there were six marked cars and four had someone pulled over. -J

MHP troopers to target distracted driving | The Clarion-Ledger | clarionledger.com

MHP goes 'undercover' in search of distracted drivers

[Baz]

Originally Posted by craigster59

$500 first offense

$1500 second offense

Loss of license for 1 year third offense

Both thumbs broken fourth offense

FIFY Craig....

[motion]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I can't believe you guys... most of you are first in line to complain about "the nanny state" are screaming for more laws and higher fines.

Fact 1. = We don't have enough LEO to enforce the laws already on the books, just look at the DUI situation.

Fact 2. = We already have cars that take voice commands, you can change the radio or adjust the air conditioning hands free. Heck, I installed a hands free bluetooth radio in my 1996 Miata, and my smartphone can text via voice. The tech is already here.

Fact 3. = Yes, there will still be idiots driving with a phone to their ear and texting and driving... as they say "you can't fix stupid"

+1

What is this, Victorian England?

There will always be something. If not cell phones and texting, then what, eating a sammich when driving?

[Chocaholic]

The bluetooth in my car is more dangerous than my phone. It deactivates phonebook search and nav destination search when the car starts moving. So what do I do? I activate the nav on my i-phone and set my destination looking away from the road. If I need to make a call, I have to search the address book on the phone. I'm sure someone had good intentions and a boardroom full of do-gooders approved the design, but not very practical in a real-world perspective.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by motion

+1

What is this, Victorian England?

There will always be something. If not cell phones and texting, then what, eating a sammich when driving?

Great point! All drive-through windows should be closed immediately. Food should not be sold that is prepared and placed in a bag. Food in a car must be safely locked in trunk, including gum. Hands anywhere but 10 and 2 are punishable by $200 fine for first offense. Tire tread depth must be 3/32 minimum or $200 fine. Bladders must be emptied in increments no longer than 2 hours. Radio volumes should have a govenor so that volume cannot exceed 45db to ensure road hazards can be heard. Walking within 20 feet of an active roadway is illegal. Touching a gas pump handle with a cold...illegal. Having any non-secured items in the cabin of your car, illegal...no exceptions. Pets must never be allowed in the front seat and must be caged at all times. Smoking in a car is illegal for driver and passengers. Any behavior by a passenger that distracts the driver is punishable by fine and community service. Flashing brights to notify oncoming cars of speed traps is illegal. Windshield excessively covered with bug splatters will result in a $50 fine. Riding a motorcycle in the dark center of a lane is punishable by license revocation. Drivers and passengers in cars not equipped with at least 6 airbags must wear a DOT rated helmet while car is in motion. Failure to comply will be punishable by $50 fine for first offense. All great ideas.

Seriously...people need to use common sense. There is no law that will make them comply. None. I love to see the smiling faces of MIT students demonstrating the self-driving automobile they've designed. That's where it's heading. Let's keep making laws.

[jwgn777]

After the first infraction an ankle bracelet should be attached to the offender that picks up electromagnetic wave pulses from ignition sources Which in this case jams you device with in the confines of any vehicle. Wow whew now I have to go in my basement and create one of these devices. LOL I hope my passenger does not have a pace maker.

[LeeH]

At least some people wait until they're at a traffic light.... but when it turns green it takes them 5-10 seconds to wake up again. Meanwhile 2-3 cars make the green arrow instead of 5-8.

Arizona is cracking down in January. We had a trooper killed in May when a truck driver was looking at lingerie pics on his phone and plowed into the back of a cruiser.

Arizona DPS to crack down on texting drivers | azfamily.com Phoenix

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by LeeH

We had a trooper killed in May when a truck driver was looking at lingerie pics on his phone and plowed into the back of a cruiser.

At least the trooper was not posting in PARF...

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by motion

+1

What is this, Victorian England?

There will always be something. If not cell phones and texting, then what, eating a sammich when driving?

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Great point! All drive-through windows should be closed immediately. ...Seriously...people need to use common sense. There is no law that will make them comply. None. .....

I just respectfully disagree. If 50% of the drivers on the road were "eatin' a sammich" (or a bowl of cereal as I have observed ), then we'd probably be entertaining these ideas too (...it's just a matter of probabilities and odds). I grew up in a different time when society said "it's OK" to drink and drive....did it thousands of times in my youth when I was more than STUPID . The DUI laws/crackdown certainly changed my and all of my friends' behavior. If one knows they are going to lose their license (I have ONCE), then it WILL change behavior (I don't think fines of any amount will however). Yep, there are still folks drinking and driving, but make no mistake...it's not NEARLY as bad as it was 30 years ago. Just my experience and .02 worth...

[Chocaholic]

...then there was the LEO that rear ended a motorcycle traveling along. Seems he was playing with his phone and plowed into the couple on the bike. The story was posted here. Heard he was fined $150. The law needs to apply to all equally.

[Baz]

Maybe Motion is right....let 'em kill each other off.

Who are we to object?

LE doesn't really care anyway --- as long as it doesn't impact their safety.