Texting While Driving: Banned Jan 1st, 09

BarTopDancer · 09-25-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Wednesday that will prohibit California drivers from text messaging beginning Jan. 1.

Link

Chernabog · 09-25-2008, 04:33 PM

Oh come on now how exactly are they gonna enforce that one. All anyone would have to do is say that they were dialing a number, which is not illegal. And how are you going to keep people from reading text messages while they are driving. Really.... I mean, I think it is good as a *symbolic* message that texting while driving is dangerous but that's about it.

Ghoulish Delight · 09-25-2008, 04:42 PM

Yeah, short of subpoenaing cell records and correlating them to the time of the ticket, which no one is going to waste time and money doing, it sounds neigh unenforceable.

innerSpaceman · 09-25-2008, 04:43 PM

Sigh, I love zapppop's new car that reads his incoming text messages to him.

BarTopDancer · 09-25-2008, 04:43 PM

I'm not surprised that it has been enacted but I agree. I suppose if the accident was bad enough they'd pull cell phone records (incoming and outgoing texts are recorded).

But it'll be easy to get around. I generally don't text and drive. If I have to read/reply I'll do it at a red light.

scaeagles · 09-25-2008, 04:47 PM

I would guess 90% of the laws on the books aren't enforcable.

Passage of a law requires that the citizenry be willing to abide, and I think it is more of a "we think strongly enough as a society that you shouldn't do this, and if you do it, you'll probably get away with it, but if something happens and we know you've been doing this, you're busted" kind of thing.

CoasterMatt · 09-25-2008, 04:59 PM

They still won't let me smash the side windows in of cars that nearly run me over in the intersection when drivers aren't paying attention, though

Strangler Lewis · 09-25-2008, 05:21 PM

I assume they'll enforce it the way they enforce a lot of traffic laws: write citations that people will pay rather than take the time to contest.

Kevy Baby · 09-25-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoasterMatt

They still won't let me smash the side windows in of cars that nearly run me over in the intersection when drivers aren't paying attention, though

You must learn my motto: it isn't illegal if you don't get caught.

madmonkeygirl · 09-25-2008, 06:26 PM

What about those who apply makeup and drive? or those who shave and drive?or those who read the newspaper or map and drive. yes i've seen drivers doing this not to mention eating and drinking and driving. So just cuz they ban texting doesn't mean that people's eyes aren't averted from the road.What about those obnoxious billboards that are illuminated showing different things? Those are distracting. Seems a bit silly to me to ban texting yet all the other things people can do and get away with.

Coming home a driver behind me was on her cell phone. I was like damn no cop around to bust her.

09-25-2008, 04:33 PM	#2
Chernabog Biophage Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Moon Posts: 2,679	Oh come on now how exactly are they gonna enforce that one. All anyone would have to do is say that they were dialing a number, which is not illegal. And how are you going to keep people from reading text messages while they are driving. Really.... I mean, I think it is good as a symbolic message that texting while driving is dangerous but that's about it. __________________ And they say back then our universe Was a coal black egg Until the god inside Burst out and from its shattered shell He made what became the world we know ~ Bjork (Cosmogony)
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09-25-2008, 04:42 PM	#3
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Yeah, short of subpoenaing cell records and correlating them to the time of the ticket, which no one is going to waste time and money doing, it sounds neigh unenforceable. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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09-25-2008, 04:43 PM	#4
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Sigh, I love zapppop's new car that reads his incoming text messages to him.
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09-25-2008, 04:43 PM	#5
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I'm not surprised that it has been enacted but I agree. I suppose if the accident was bad enough they'd pull cell phone records (incoming and outgoing texts are recorded). But it'll be easy to get around. I generally don't text and drive. If I have to read/reply I'll do it at a red light. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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09-25-2008, 04:47 PM	#6
scaeagles I LIKE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,819	I would guess 90% of the laws on the books aren't enforcable. Passage of a law requires that the citizenry be willing to abide, and I think it is more of a "we think strongly enough as a society that you shouldn't do this, and if you do it, you'll probably get away with it, but if something happens and we know you've been doing this, you're busted" kind of thing.
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09-25-2008, 04:59 PM	#7
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	They still won't let me smash the side windows in of cars that nearly run me over in the intersection when drivers aren't paying attention, though __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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09-25-2008, 05:21 PM	#8
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	I assume they'll enforce it the way they enforce a lot of traffic laws: write citations that people will pay rather than take the time to contest. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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09-25-2008, 06:26 PM	#10
madmonkeygirl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 764	What about those who apply makeup and drive? or those who shave and drive?or those who read the newspaper or map and drive. yes i've seen drivers doing this not to mention eating and drinking and driving. So just cuz they ban texting doesn't mean that people's eyes aren't averted from the road.What about those obnoxious billboards that are illuminated showing different things? Those are distracting. Seems a bit silly to me to ban texting yet all the other things people can do and get away with. Coming home a driver behind me was on her cell phone. I was like damn no cop around to bust her.
	Submit to Quotes