States try to ban driver distractions
#1
02-09-2007, 03:46 AM
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States try to ban driver distractions
IT'S ABOUT TIME.....
By JOHN CURRAN, Associated Press WriterThu Feb 8, 2:24 PM ET
[/align][/align]Put down the flute and keep your eyes on the road. And forget about sipping that cup of coffee on the way to work, or smoking a cigarette on the way home. In some states, it could soon be illegal — if it isn't already. Emboldened by the passage of cell phone bans for drivers in some communities, states are turning their attention to other things that drive motorists to distraction. Vermont lawmakers are considering a measure that would ban eating, drinking, smoking, reading, writing, personal grooming, playing an instrument, "interacting with pets or cargo," talking on a cell phone or using any other personal communication device while driving. The punishment: a fine of up to $600. Similar bills are under consideration in Maryland and Texas, and Connecticut has passed one that generically bans any activity that could interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. "Cell phones attracted people to this issue," said Matt Sundeen, a transportation analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures. "Now that people are more focused on distracted driving issues, they're beginning to talk about the broader range of distractions." For the sponsor of the Vermont bill, the motivation came from his own observations. "What finally pushed me over the edge was when I was at a stop sign and somebody opposite me was trying to navigate around the corner with a cell phone to the ear in one hand and a cigarette in the other, and she wasn't doing very well," said Republican state Rep. Thomas F. Koch. He said his wife recently saw a driver playing the flute, which led him to include the instrument ban in his bill. "There are a lot of bad habits out on the road. This isn't just for drivers' own good. This is to protect the other people on the road," he said. Often, they need protection: _In Illinois, a bicyclist was killed by a driver who had been downloading cell phone ring tones while behind the wheel last September. _In Westminster, Calif., a 7-year-old boy was struck and killed by an SUV whose driver lost control as he was trying to reach a cell phone and plowed into a family at a bus stop Nov. 29, authorities said. _In Spokane, Wash., a trucker who was allegedly using a cell phone crossed a highway median and struck another truck head-on, killing five children, in 2005._In Athens, Ala., a woman lost control of her car while reaching for a ringing cell phone and crashed into a church last month. Distracted drivers were involved in nearly eight out of 10 collisions or near-crashes in a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that was released last year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Young drivers are some of the worst offenders. A study of more than 5,600 students released last month by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance Co. reported that nearly 90 percent had seen friends drive while talking on cell phones and that half saw drivers playing hand-held games, using listening devices or sending text messages. Jeff Rogers, 44, of Barre, filling up his pickup at a gas station Thursday, said the Vermont bill is "going a little too far." "I can understand the cell phone thing," he said. "But the rest of it, how are they going to enforce that?"
By JOHN CURRAN, Associated Press WriterThu Feb 8, 2:24 PM ET
[/align][/align]Put down the flute and keep your eyes on the road. And forget about sipping that cup of coffee on the way to work, or smoking a cigarette on the way home. In some states, it could soon be illegal — if it isn't already. Emboldened by the passage of cell phone bans for drivers in some communities, states are turning their attention to other things that drive motorists to distraction. Vermont lawmakers are considering a measure that would ban eating, drinking, smoking, reading, writing, personal grooming, playing an instrument, "interacting with pets or cargo," talking on a cell phone or using any other personal communication device while driving. The punishment: a fine of up to $600. Similar bills are under consideration in Maryland and Texas, and Connecticut has passed one that generically bans any activity that could interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. "Cell phones attracted people to this issue," said Matt Sundeen, a transportation analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures. "Now that people are more focused on distracted driving issues, they're beginning to talk about the broader range of distractions." For the sponsor of the Vermont bill, the motivation came from his own observations. "What finally pushed me over the edge was when I was at a stop sign and somebody opposite me was trying to navigate around the corner with a cell phone to the ear in one hand and a cigarette in the other, and she wasn't doing very well," said Republican state Rep. Thomas F. Koch. He said his wife recently saw a driver playing the flute, which led him to include the instrument ban in his bill. "There are a lot of bad habits out on the road. This isn't just for drivers' own good. This is to protect the other people on the road," he said. Often, they need protection: _In Illinois, a bicyclist was killed by a driver who had been downloading cell phone ring tones while behind the wheel last September. _In Westminster, Calif., a 7-year-old boy was struck and killed by an SUV whose driver lost control as he was trying to reach a cell phone and plowed into a family at a bus stop Nov. 29, authorities said. _In Spokane, Wash., a trucker who was allegedly using a cell phone crossed a highway median and struck another truck head-on, killing five children, in 2005._In Athens, Ala., a woman lost control of her car while reaching for a ringing cell phone and crashed into a church last month. Distracted drivers were involved in nearly eight out of 10 collisions or near-crashes in a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that was released last year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Young drivers are some of the worst offenders. A study of more than 5,600 students released last month by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance Co. reported that nearly 90 percent had seen friends drive while talking on cell phones and that half saw drivers playing hand-held games, using listening devices or sending text messages. Jeff Rogers, 44, of Barre, filling up his pickup at a gas station Thursday, said the Vermont bill is "going a little too far." "I can understand the cell phone thing," he said. "But the rest of it, how are they going to enforce that?"
#2
02-09-2007, 07:23 AM
RE: States try to ban driver distractions
IMO that is just stupid. I agree with the cell part but are you kidding me no smoking or having a cup of coffee. They are going way to far[:@]
#3
02-09-2007, 07:33 AM
RE: States try to ban driver distractions
All these things do distract.I ran into a stopped car with no brakelights on,while I was eating cheese frys once.They already have these laws here.(seatbelts,phones)Cops don't enforce them too much,mostly only if they have already pulled you over.
#4
02-09-2007, 09:16 AM
RE: States try to ban driver distractions
The introduction of a bill that would make it illegal to talk on the phone , personal grooming etc. would probably pass, and needs to pass. But when you put things in it like you cant even have a cup of coffee or a soda, your just plain being stupid and I dont think that will ever pass. I dont think any politician is going to want to say, yea I voted for the bill that got you a ticket for drinking a soda in your car.
#5
02-09-2007, 09:18 AM
RE: States try to ban driver distractions
How about they just ratchet up the penalties for negligent driving that causes property or personal damage. To the point that these obliviots have to re-acquire their driving privs, which would also require an MSF-like driving class.
#7
02-09-2007, 10:25 AM
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RE: States try to ban driver distractions
Make another law, we don't have enough of them. If they would enforce all the stupid laws already on the books we would all be guilty of something. Why is it that as soon as these intelligent men and women get elected they become bloomin idiots.
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#8
02-09-2007, 10:51 AM
RE: States try to ban driver distractions
IMHO this is geared more towards ratcheting up punitive damage awards in the event of serious accidents. That is, of course, until the insurance companies start carving out exclusions to their coverages.
<><Peace
<><Peace
#9
02-09-2007, 11:27 AM
RE: States try to ban driver distractions
This guy is really into the multitasking while driving.
http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs..../0/COMMUNITY02
http://concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs..../0/COMMUNITY02
A22-year-old Webster man accidentally shot himself yesterday as he dismantled his gun while driving down Loudon Road, the police said. In the process, Robert Drown also hit a minivan and toppled the sign at the 7-Eleven, according to a witness.
When his gun went off, Drown veered off Loudon Road and over the lawn of the nearby 7-Eleven. Drown stopped only when he hit the store's sign, according to a witness. The impact toppled the sign onto Drown's vehicle.
"He never touched the brakes," said Jeremy Murphy, who witnessed the incident from the D'Angelo Sandwich Shop across the street, where he had just finished lunch with two friends.
While veering off Loudon Road, Drown also glanced a mini-van, Murphy said. Murphy and his friends initially thought the bang they heard was Drown hitting the minivan, but they realized later it was Drown's gun firing.
"He never touched the brakes," said Jeremy Murphy, who witnessed the incident from the D'Angelo Sandwich Shop across the street, where he had just finished lunch with two friends.
While veering off Loudon Road, Drown also glanced a mini-van, Murphy said. Murphy and his friends initially thought the bang they heard was Drown hitting the minivan, but they realized later it was Drown's gun firing.
