Text, Talk, Ticket

[gojodo]

Virginia has the law but it is impossible to enforce it adequately. We have nearly been sideswiped many times. It seems to me if the cell phone industry were more responsible they could develop an application that would disable usage in a auto with the exception of the 911. That is probably asking too much..

Then there are the bicyclist texting!

[Waynem]

Texas has enacted a law of "No Cell Phone Use" in school zones. They do not differentiate between hand-free and non-hand-free.

Pete,
MA is strange. Several years ago they enacted seat belt laws. Then they had to repeal them because of public outrage. Now they have seat belt laws again, and it includes all people in the vehicle if I understand it correctly. They are just a little behind times, is all.

Rich,
They should have a camera set up on school buses that only activates when the REDs are on and motion activated. Then prosecute with very stiff fines. How about 2 or 3 nights in jail!!!

[richfaa]

Waynem..ohio is very hard of those who run school bus reds. The camera was discussed in our area but deemed to expensive. I always had my aid watching when the reds were out and we did catch a few violators. We were dealing with kids lives here and some folks just did not care.

[Waynem]

And they are the worlds precious lives.

I hope they catch every person who runs a red lighted school bus.

Thanks.

[rames14]

Wayne -
I just returned from Texas and evidently there are some communities refusing to enforce the law. I guess it's like some of the other laws that don't get enforced.

[Waynem]

Ron,
I hope you are referring to Cell Phone laws in school zones. A call to the state capital would be worth the effort for any community you find they are not enforcing the law. It is a State law that no one be on a cell phone in posted school zones. It is also a State law regarding school buses. If I knew for sure that a community was not enforcing the law I'd call Austin and report it.

[08UltraRider]

They can enact all the cell phone laws they want but until the penalties have some teeth to them there will be little change.

[oldelmer1]

Maryland's no talk on cell phone law goes into effect this friday, Oct. 1.

[Pete Hanson]

Massachusetts law banning texting begins today.....finally. I still think it's crazy that we have to have laws passed for common sense things like texting while driving. Oh, I forgot, common sense doesn't exist too much anymore.

[Waynem]

Well, in this trip I am on I have had a few 18 wheelers have their back tires in my lane. It's funny that they are on a cell phone when they pass me. I'm driving 30,000+ pounds, including towing, and I have my cell phone on my belt. However, when it rings I hand it to Earlene and she does the talking. If it is something that I need to hear it will go on speaker phone, but normally I'll just call the person back when I stop, or she can relay any information that they may have.

It's such a simple process.

Again, I can tell you that even "hands free," is not a good option. Several years ago I had a 1993 Lincoln Mark VII. It had a phone system that was fabulous as far as hands free goes. When I purchased it I had the SIM programmed to my Cell phone SIM and I would use it when in the car. At that time I would receive a call, push a button and be hands free immediately. It even had voice command control so I could even make a call by voice command. I'd be on the way home, give Earlene a call to see what was going on, and maybe 10-15 minutes later hang up. It is then that I would be aware of my surroundings and think, "How did I get here?" I could not remember the traffic or anything in between during that phone call. I was driving entirely by instinct, if that is possible. That is when I realized the danger of cell phone and driving challenges.

Texting - that is ridiculous while driving.

[Trailer Trash 2]

The law here in California is a big joke, everybody is still talking and texting, there fine is also another joke it's not a high enugh of a fine, it should be about 300.00 and a ticket for reckless driving on there driving record. with all the new cars and gadgets for blue tooth there should be no reason to have a phone in your hand while driving.

[footloose]

And, I heard on TV yesterday that with the new texting laws, even more accidents are happening -- because people are trying to hide what they are doing with the phone down in their laps. I don't understand why a phone call is so important that it has to be answered immediately. What did we do before we had 24/7 connection???
Sharon

[simonsrf]

In Washington state, even with the enacted law, it is rare to not see someone on the phone or texting while freeway driving.

My first few attempts with the hands-free devices was a disaster, I was better with the phone to my ear. I have since fixed the problem with a device that is real straight-forward (LINK)....push the button on the dash to talk, push the button on the dash to hang up......and then, the other option is to just turn the phone off while driving.