distracted driving
 

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/greg-knapp-dead_n_60fa87dee4b0ca689fa8381f

When is enough enough? This Jets coach was riding in a marked bikelane and hit by a 22 yr old driver who was texting. We have the tech to disable texting in moving vehicles. Y'all can't drink and drive, why don't we take some real steps to prevent this?

While I am not sure life in prison for something like this is appropriate, a lifetime ban on tech and drivers license would be OK with me. No computer, no smart TV, no tablet, no cell phone, none of it.

How?

Teach personal responsibility? Yea right, in 2021 is is always someone else's fault.

I have to agree, shut down ALL texting if the phone is riding in a car. Passengers will just have to live a little while with no texting. Trains and bus passengers are screwed as well. Not gonna happen.

Main thing, make the penalty severe, and unlike drunk driving, apply it to everyone, even the rich folks with expensive lawyers.

We absolutely have the tech to stop this madness.

This is one of those cases when federal mandates for new cars includes the necessary tech to eliminate texting is required, just like catalytic converters, air bags, etc.

Maryland already bans holding a phone while driving. Which I agree with.

There is enough VOD calling capability, hands free capability, that texting isn't required while driving.

I see it everyday.

I can push a button on the steering wheel and tell the car to tell my wife I am on my way or see you in x minutes. It seems people cant stand to just drive any longer. They need to do something while driving instead of the primary task of driving.

How many times in traffic do you see the person driving texting and the passenger looking out the window or are on their phone too.

I really think it's time we have some crimes that have automatic sentences, no get out of jail free cards for fancy lawyer type stuff.
How about you do something like this, you go to jail, immediately, no trial, for 15 yrs minimum, no parole possible, no time off for good behavior. You're in the slammer if you do this.

Aren't there some countries that have this sort of thing for drunk driving already?

It is obvious that a certain % of society can't follow the rules/laws/common sense . So it's up to the police and judicial system to do their jobs to the best of their abilities . I have no problem with no sentence for someone stealing a loaf of bread . But killing someone is a whole different story . Enforce the laws that are on the books . Change/alter laws to fit current situations as nothing stays static .

Poor or rich the law/punishment has to be the same . Yeah I know get real . This 22 year old in my opinion if proven guilty has to serve the proper amount of time behind bars . The proper amount as defined by law . End of rant.

Or Youtubers videoing while driving…

I always have my iPhone set to dnd while driving, I’ve also used a ODB dongle that locks your phone while driving. Yes many tech options available, but people will still keep doing it.

As long as there are no serious repercussions people will continue to be selfish and unobservant.

Yes, we have the tech.
And we should require the tech to be retrofit as part of the registration process. Make the carriers fund it.
I don't really care if auto passengers can't use their devices. In mass transit, you put a prox device that sends a signal to the phone that its usable.
The disabling device can be run thru the ignition circuit so if you "really" need to do something you can pull over and turn the car off.
And you make it a felony to defeat the tech.

It's not being enforced. See it here every day. Mostly females. Looking down at their phones. Even in the left passing lane - with about a 20 car gap between them and the vehicle in front. You know....so they won't rear end anyone - while working their phone....

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That would require auto manufactures to have cars emit potential tracking or scanning signals which is ripe for abuse.

It would also prevent bus/train/carpool passengers from doing business or providing navigation.

An easier way would be to have a large disclaimer screen:
"Minimum Federal Penalties for use while driving are X years in jail and $X0,000 fine"
"Are you the driver? Y/N?"

The best tech is no tech. Try futzing around with your phone while driving an aircooled 911.

^^^ Hah...texting would be impossible!

Near field devices aren't subject to tracking. Besides, your cell already is... . Bus and train, no issue, you equip them with a "go" device, cars have a "no go" device. Passengers? Yeah, that's a problem. They'll live. Nav can work via voice command. Siri like device live all the time listening for instructions. Its really pretty easy.

I'm thinking no on cancelling much of the constitution to combat this.

related:
Snapchat had a phone app which measured GPS speed.
The courts eventually ruled that it promoted unsafe driving in teens after a crash. Not sure why.
A potential culpability to phones and service providers etc.
Darwin rolled over.
https://www.rt.com/usa/522990-snapchat-reckless-driving-lawsuit/