Ban on Cellphones Jan 1, 2010

[a1bummer]

Don't get your hopes high. The law is only as good as the enforcement. We have had that law in place here for over 2 years now....No change whatsoever...and the slaughter of bikers on our roads only drops when Winter is here.

 

Boomer.....who thinks good Old Fashioned American Justice using only a tree and a rope is sorely needed.

I totally agree. if a law isn't enforced, what's the point? We have a lot of those laws. Littering, talking on cellphones while driving, (in WI. now), and smoking in public, (some states and many cities anyway), just to name a few.

[a1bummer]

Originally Posted by ArticusMedicus [ame=http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?p=419240#post419240][/ame]

I think it should be a felony to to text while driving. It no different than waving around a loaded gun.

 

Not sure if it should be a felony. But something needs to actually be done about it.

 

I also feel the same way about smoking.

[SilvrT]

For some reason, a lot of people just can't get it through their heads that the left lane is for passing only.

 

Around here, to the best of my understanding, the left lane is not exclusively for "passing" and then once you've passed someone, you must go back into the right lane. I don't see that or have read anywhere that it is supposed to be that way. What is posted is ... "Slower traffic keep right". It then seems to be left to each individual to determine if they are considered "slower traffic". What does happen is the faster moving traffic is often in the left lane and when someone is in that lane and driving slower than the rest of the flow in the left lane, they "generally" move over to the right to allow the traffic to pass them. Yup, we pass in the left lane most of the time but it is not for "passing only" ... and then there are times when the right lane is moving faster than the left so, we then pass on the right. Maybe it's a "Canuck thing" or a "BCer thing" ...???

[N3FOL]

My newer cars are equipped with Bluetooth and they are programmed to synch with my cellphone automatically everytime I get in the 'cage'. On my older car, I have a Bluetooth earpiece that I always use. I practice this safety feature and I expect that every driver on a 'cage' do the same. I heard that cell phone ban is strictly being enforced in the DC area and anyone caught using a cellphone (not hands free) in DC will surely get a citation and a hefty fine. It is a matter of time that Bluetooth will be standard equipment on all vehicles...right now it is an option.

 

I know it is adamant for people to follow safety rules in terms of cell phone use, but we should all contribute to this cause.

 

As a rider, I always see people talking on the phone and driving and steering with just one hand.

[a1bummer]

Around here, to the best of my understanding, the left lane is not exclusively for "passing" and then once you've passed someone, you must go back into the right lane. I don't see that or have read anywhere that it is supposed to be that way. What is posted is ... "Slower traffic keep right". It then seems to be left to each individual to determine if they are considered "slower traffic". What does happen is the faster moving traffic is often in the left lane and when someone is in that lane and driving slower than the rest of the flow in the left lane, they "generally" move over to the right to allow the traffic to pass them. Yup, we pass in the left lane most of the time but it is not for "passing only" ... and then there are times when the right lane is moving faster than the left so, we then pass on the right. Maybe it's a "Canuck thing" or a "BCer thing" ...???

 

Now that you mention it, I have seen those "Slower traffic keep right" signs as well. I'm seeing the "State Law Keep right except to pass" signs more and more these days. Some state mandate that if there are 5 or more vehicles behind you, you need to pull over and let them pass. Something to that affect anyway. I seen that somewhere out west. I found this link about the "Keep right except to pass" laws in the states. http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html

[Boomer]

Booner??????? You hitting the sauce Yammer?

 

HAHAHAHA!

[Chinto]

While I understand the ban on cell phone use/texting when driving. I think as is typical of most government intervention it misses the objective. So you get a ticket for not using a hand free device but it is OK to put your makeup on while driving, read the paper, fool with you GPS/ipod, shaving, talk to the kids in the backseat etc. If you think I am exaggerating drive a Chicago expressway in the morning rush to see it all. My point is the law should have been more encompassing and not focus on just cell phone use but any activity that distracts while driving. Since you can't legislate common sense you would now have a penalty for the lack of common sense. Now the talking heads will need to waste more time and money to make a new law to stop the next distraction while driving.

 

Merry Christmas to all

[SilvrT]

While I understand the ban on cell phone use/texting when driving. I think as is typical of most government intervention it misses the objective. So you get a ticket for not using a hand free device but it is OK to put your makeup on while driving, read the paper, fool with you GPS/ipod, shaving, talk to the kids in the backseat etc. If you think I am exaggerating drive a Chicago expressway in the morning rush to see it all. My point is the law should have been more encompassing and not focus on just cell phone use but any activity that distracts while driving. Since you can't legislate common sense you would now have a penalty for the lack of common sense. Now the talking heads will need to waste more time and money to make a new law to stop the next distraction while driving.

 

Merry Christmas to all

 

Yup... what we need is a "Stupid Law" ... yes, I know some laws are stupid but I mean one for Stupid People. Fine 'em... stick 'em in the calaboose!!! Down with Stupid People I say!!!

 

All kidding aside, those things could all fall under one existing law and that is "undue care and attention" which comes into play when an accident is involved. Similarly, so could the use of cell phones I guess but... Making it a separate law allows for a separate fine and one in which nothing else has to occur as a result of same. I agree with most of what you say but imagine... getting a fine because you're talking to your spouse while driving... and what constitutes talking? 3 words or more? Imagine how much more we'd have to be taxed to cover the additional costs associated to enforcing so many laws... a line has to be drawn somewhere I suppose.

 

I think that a "cell phone" law kindof brings that particular thing into the forefront of peoples minds and that appears to be necessary due to the associated accident statistics not just here but everywhere. I also think that because it is a separate law, it could result in stiffer punishment being doled out when an accident is involved.

 

An interesting topic here....enjoying the varied responses ..

[slick97spirit]

I am having a hard time understanding this thread, excuse me while I dial my cell phone, tune the Sat Radio, check with my buds on the CB, take a drink, chat with the next car on FRS, play with the aux lights during the daytime, have a bite of my burger, text to my wife, and oh yea, steer the car and stab the brakes, some days I drive the manual trans car which requires the other foot and hand to do triple or quad duty!

 

 

To play the devil's advocate............... He mentions something interesting. What of those bikers (most venture/goldwing riders) that are talking on their CB's while riding. Is there a difference in that and a cage driver talking on a cell phone. The same actions have to take place during both conversations........

[straycatt]

That is absolutely ridiculous.

 

Actually whats "absolutely ridiculous" is the degree to which you've missed the point.

 

Just because you haven't got caught "yet" doesn't mean you won't and $65 may not be much to you but around these parts the fine is 2.5 times that much and that is a lot to me.

 

Some things are worth fighting for.

 

 

That being said, let's do away with all laws then ... of course they are not necessarilly THE ANSWER ... but the fact that there is no ONE answer, having a law does help and there may not be an complete answer but the more that can be done to get closer to an answer, the better.

 

 

No, you're simply wrong or at least you would be if you were in the US.

 

 

Ah yes... I sure remember those days... I was so conscious of all of that....yup, I am so glad I don't have to be constantly thinking about THAT anymore... so glad I don't have to be so careful anymore... geeeesh.

 

Exactly right, even though you don't realize it.

 

 

 

 

:witch_brew:

 

 

 

....

[straycatt]

Note to self.

 

Make sure you spend a lot of time calling other peoples beliefs and opinion ridiculous.

It lends credibility to your own opinions and makes you look so much more intelligent.

 

 

We can all be insulting. But being pissy just because, doesn't accomplish much.

 

Have a Nice Christmas.

[az1103]

I went for a bike ride along the beach this afternoon (recumbent, not mc) .

Virtually every woman and every teenager I passed was either talking or texting on the phone !!! To be fair,some men were too....

Now, I am not talking about just people walking, these people were on bicycles, skates skateboards and just stumbling around ! Somehow I suspect they do exactly the same thing when they are driving a car. It's a dangerous place out there, particularly around the holidays.....

[SilvrT]

Note to self.

 

Make sure you spend a lot of time calling other peoples beliefs and opinion ridiculous.

It lends credibility to your own opinions and makes you look so much more intelligent.

 

 

We can all be insulting. But being pissy just because, doesn't accomplish much.

 

Have a Nice Christmas.

 

My sincere apologies. I got a bit carried away with my comments without thinking about the effect and the place. It was not my intention to insult you. You have every right to your opinions and beliefs, just as I do and we should be able to voice them here without fear of being insulted.

 

All the best to you and yours at this special time of year.

 

-Rick