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As you may or may not have heard, California is considering a law called SB 1800, the so-called "distracted driver" bill. Many other states are considering similar bills and are eyeing CA's progress.
Under this proposed law, you would be fined up to $150 for:
• Use of a cell phone
• Use of an electronic device, including personal digital assistant
• Adjusting entertainment system controls
• Eating or drinking
• Grooming, such as applying makeup, brushing hair
• Smoking
• Reading or writing
• Interaction with passengers
The "probable cause" for the police to stop you under this law is any abberant driving such as speeding up, slowing down, weaving or wobbling of any amount within your own lane, etc. In other words, almost anything.
Is it just me or are we piling on a few too many laws to avoid behavior that MIGHT cause something bad to happen?
I've always liked accountability, and dont have a problem with doing things that lead to fewer problems. That having been said, I've probably paid out about $10,000 in fines, legal fees and other sundry costs associated with having been ticketed for stuff that "might have caused a problem". But I've never been in an accident, never damaged anyones property, and never hurt anyone.
Dont get me wrong. A bad driver with a phone in one hand and a cheeseburger in the other is a worse driver. The problem here isnt the phone or the cheeseburger. I remember just as many "dumbo driver" stories before cell phones existed and I see dangerous driving performed every day where the driver has both hands on the wheel.
The worst parts? Despite "studies" to the contrary, accident rates in equalized studies have gone DOWN in the last 20 years even though cell phone usage in cars has skyrocketed. In the state of new york and european countries where cell phone usage has been made illegal, accident rates have not changed one bit.
In some cases they get you coming and going. A recent CHP suggestion was to pull to the side of the road to make a cell phone call. However, in the state of California, pulling to the side of a highway is illegal unless you are experiencing an emergency...
Under this proposed law, you would be fined up to $150 for:
• Use of a cell phone
• Use of an electronic device, including personal digital assistant
• Adjusting entertainment system controls
• Eating or drinking
• Grooming, such as applying makeup, brushing hair
• Smoking
• Reading or writing
• Interaction with passengers
The "probable cause" for the police to stop you under this law is any abberant driving such as speeding up, slowing down, weaving or wobbling of any amount within your own lane, etc. In other words, almost anything.
Is it just me or are we piling on a few too many laws to avoid behavior that MIGHT cause something bad to happen?
I've always liked accountability, and dont have a problem with doing things that lead to fewer problems. That having been said, I've probably paid out about $10,000 in fines, legal fees and other sundry costs associated with having been ticketed for stuff that "might have caused a problem". But I've never been in an accident, never damaged anyones property, and never hurt anyone.
Dont get me wrong. A bad driver with a phone in one hand and a cheeseburger in the other is a worse driver. The problem here isnt the phone or the cheeseburger. I remember just as many "dumbo driver" stories before cell phones existed and I see dangerous driving performed every day where the driver has both hands on the wheel.
The worst parts? Despite "studies" to the contrary, accident rates in equalized studies have gone DOWN in the last 20 years even though cell phone usage in cars has skyrocketed. In the state of new york and european countries where cell phone usage has been made illegal, accident rates have not changed one bit.
In some cases they get you coming and going. A recent CHP suggestion was to pull to the side of the road to make a cell phone call. However, in the state of California, pulling to the side of a highway is illegal unless you are experiencing an emergency...