This was pushed through in Albany so the NYSGov. felt like they did some work, the budget was late that year. Unfortunately no statistics have been logged about smokers in auto accidents. Deer cause more accidents that cell phones do we ban or ticket the Deer? If there is oil from the rain on the State Roads when it rains does the State pay victims because the roads were not properly maintained? Our system is a mess!!!! I hope he can get it reversed.
It\’s a quality of life issue. Basically, this law lets the State decide the quality of your life, not you. It\’s like the State banning smoking outdoors! Next, you won\’t be allowed to fart in your car because the odor might be distracting.
I always thought that laws against reckless driving should apply. If one is talking on a cellphone and driving recklessly, then cite them accordingly. Otherwise, the law is stupid.
I can drink coffee, much a sandwich, change the radio, turn on the wipers, roll down the windows,…etc., all while driving.
On a recent trip to England, we discussed the New York law. Apparently, in England they can cite you for any number of things that could lead to a loss of control – including (so I was told) not having two hands on the steering wheel.
When one of those people are involved in a serious accident where the other party is on a cell phone (none of them would do it, right?), I\’d be willing to bet the tune changes in a hurry!
OK, if there was a law in effect at the time of the infraction – pay the damn fine!
If you know about the law & choose to ignore it, it sucks to be you when you get caught!
If the person had purchased the head set & used it, we would not be wasting tax money & our time debating this issue!
As far as it being a good fight – this is not the venue – start lobbying where it can do some good… Go out & walk the streets of your neighborhood & obtain signatures & provide your neighbors with information to contact their City & State Representatives & Govenor & Congress!
Now, let\’s see where the good fight actually ends up…
Use a headset! And if your farts are so distracting – try changing your diet or add GasX. Don\’t give \’em any more ideas, OK???
It is about personal freedom – my freedom from getting involved in an accident with some oblivious, distracted driver talking on a handheld mobile phone. Check out the statistics about how this increasingly plays a factor in accidents. You could make a better personal freedom argument against the seat belt or motorcycle laws for drivers who don\’t want to protect themselves but this is a public safety issue.
Ij readers will recall the study that said hands free phones are no safer when driving, its the lack of attention to the road that casues accidents. FACT is a bad driver is a bad driver and a GOOD driver is a good driver. Most women who sit in my passenger seat think im not listening to them, because I wont make eye contact. I choose to keep my eyes on the rd 99% of the time.
Remember back in the day when we complained about the people who ate, drank, talked, put on make-up, shaved, read, changed the radio station,and so on while they were SUPPOSED to be driving? What is the difference with cell phones? I doubt that 100 % of the time when we are cut off or almost being hit by someone they are on a cell phone. I think that everyone just needs to PAY ATTENTION!! How about this write a ticket for driving while distracted and that will cover everything.
Question: If a drunk driver is properly stopped or parked, and some guy checking out babes rear-ends him, is the drunk at fault? In many places, yes! If we don\’t get away from blaming things for our own failures, we\’re going to end up like France. Unless you ban everything, there\’s always something. Like Pogo used to say \”I have seen the enemy; and he is us\”.
I am so sick & tired of being cut off at intersections because the other driver is distracted by his/her cell phone conversation. Don\’t even get me STARTED on the drivers that make those W I D E turns and end up in my lane because they are busy holding or dialing a phone.
I live in NY and have YET to see anyone pay attention to the \”no phone while driving\” law. And yes, I DO own a cell phone – I just chose to use it appropriately.
Pay the **** fine!
I did not see that study but if that\’s what it reported it is a flawed study. I do agree with your point about driver attentiveness being the key. The problem is that too many drivers need laws like this to force them to act responsibly (even though most ignore the law anyway).
Instead of passing laws that say what we can or cannot do while driving, I think there should be a revised driver education system in the US. If you really think about it, all you have to do is pass a goofy written test at 15, and a quick road test when you\’re 16 and that\’s it. I\’ve done track days and drivers schools at different race tracks which have helped me become a better, more attentive driver more than anything else has. We NEED better drivers education!!!
I too agree with \’what about my personal freedom\’! Yes, driving is a privilege, but I have the right to drive without the danger of someone who is paying absolutely no attention what so ever on the road because that someone has to talk to their friend to re-hash the last episode of American Idol or Desperate Housewives on the way to work.
1. No complaining about High Oil Costs.
2. No complaining about High Insurance.
3. Better for the Environment.
4. Cut\’s down on US obesity problems.
5. No Cell Phone while driving whining!
This was pushed through in Albany so the NYSGov. felt like they did some work, the budget was late that year. Unfortunately no statistics have been logged about smokers in auto accidents. Deer cause more accidents that cell phones do we ban or ticket the Deer? If there is oil from the rain on the State Roads when it rains does the State pay victims because the roads were not properly maintained? Our system is a mess!!!! I hope he can get it reversed.
Is this headache worth $105?
Just pay the damn fine.
LLCJ,
It\’s a quality of life issue. Basically, this law lets the State decide the quality of your life, not you. It\’s like the State banning smoking outdoors! Next, you won\’t be allowed to fart in your car because the odor might be distracting.
I always thought that laws against reckless driving should apply. If one is talking on a cellphone and driving recklessly, then cite them accordingly. Otherwise, the law is stupid.
I can drink coffee, much a sandwich, change the radio, turn on the wipers, roll down the windows,…etc., all while driving.
This is worth the fight. The fine isn\’t the issue it\’s a states attempt to limit an individuals rights, and that\’s worthy of a fight.
On a recent trip to England, we discussed the New York law. Apparently, in England they can cite you for any number of things that could lead to a loss of control – including (so I was told) not having two hands on the steering wheel.
Guess we have it good…
When one of those people are involved in a serious accident where the other party is on a cell phone (none of them would do it, right?), I\’d be willing to bet the tune changes in a hurry!
OK, if there was a law in effect at the time of the infraction – pay the damn fine!
If you know about the law & choose to ignore it, it sucks to be you when you get caught!
If the person had purchased the head set & used it, we would not be wasting tax money & our time debating this issue!
As far as it being a good fight – this is not the venue – start lobbying where it can do some good… Go out & walk the streets of your neighborhood & obtain signatures & provide your neighbors with information to contact their City & State Representatives & Govenor & Congress!
Now, let\’s see where the good fight actually ends up…
Use a headset! And if your farts are so distracting – try changing your diet or add GasX. Don\’t give \’em any more ideas, OK???
Happy Friday!
What was that comment a few days ago someone made about having a soccer ball in the car against the law??? I think it is coming down to that.
Remember, not only is big brother watching, but he is listening too!
I believe Archie Bunker would have called attorney ostrowski a \’meathead\’.
It is about personal freedom – my freedom from getting involved in an accident with some oblivious, distracted driver talking on a handheld mobile phone. Check out the statistics about how this increasingly plays a factor in accidents. You could make a better personal freedom argument against the seat belt or motorcycle laws for drivers who don\’t want to protect themselves but this is a public safety issue.
Ij readers will recall the study that said hands free phones are no safer when driving, its the lack of attention to the road that casues accidents. FACT is a bad driver is a bad driver and a GOOD driver is a good driver. Most women who sit in my passenger seat think im not listening to them, because I wont make eye contact. I choose to keep my eyes on the rd 99% of the time.
Remember back in the day when we complained about the people who ate, drank, talked, put on make-up, shaved, read, changed the radio station,and so on while they were SUPPOSED to be driving? What is the difference with cell phones? I doubt that 100 % of the time when we are cut off or almost being hit by someone they are on a cell phone. I think that everyone just needs to PAY ATTENTION!! How about this write a ticket for driving while distracted and that will cover everything.
Question: If a drunk driver is properly stopped or parked, and some guy checking out babes rear-ends him, is the drunk at fault? In many places, yes! If we don\’t get away from blaming things for our own failures, we\’re going to end up like France. Unless you ban everything, there\’s always something. Like Pogo used to say \”I have seen the enemy; and he is us\”.
I am so sick & tired of being cut off at intersections because the other driver is distracted by his/her cell phone conversation. Don\’t even get me STARTED on the drivers that make those W I D E turns and end up in my lane because they are busy holding or dialing a phone.
I live in NY and have YET to see anyone pay attention to the \”no phone while driving\” law. And yes, I DO own a cell phone – I just chose to use it appropriately.
Pay the **** fine!
I did not see that study but if that\’s what it reported it is a flawed study. I do agree with your point about driver attentiveness being the key. The problem is that too many drivers need laws like this to force them to act responsibly (even though most ignore the law anyway).
Instead of passing laws that say what we can or cannot do while driving, I think there should be a revised driver education system in the US. If you really think about it, all you have to do is pass a goofy written test at 15, and a quick road test when you\’re 16 and that\’s it. I\’ve done track days and drivers schools at different race tracks which have helped me become a better, more attentive driver more than anything else has. We NEED better drivers education!!!
I too agree with \’what about my personal freedom\’! Yes, driving is a privilege, but I have the right to drive without the danger of someone who is paying absolutely no attention what so ever on the road because that someone has to talk to their friend to re-hash the last episode of American Idol or Desperate Housewives on the way to work.
Here\’s a site with some startling statistics & cases.
http://www.braunconsulting.com/bcg/newsletters/summer2005/summer20051.html
But try to think about this. Is that call so important that someone could die over it? Can\’t you call them back?
Let\’s really split the atoms folks:
Let\’s go back to walking:
1. No complaining about High Oil Costs.
2. No complaining about High Insurance.
3. Better for the Environment.
4. Cut\’s down on US obesity problems.
5. No Cell Phone while driving whining!
Please feel free to add more my fellow bloggers.
Feel Good