New Law Bans Texting

[CrystalTears]

This is a news bulletin I received from CA DMV. It made me wonder how often this was happening that it needed to be passed into law.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

New Law Bans Texting
Effective January 1, 2009, a new law expands the prohibition of using a wireless communication device while driving a motor vehicle, to include writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication such as text-messaging, instant messaging, and email.

Exemptions
This new law excludes emergency professionals who use these devices, while operating an emergency vehicle in the course and scope of his or her duties. This law does not prohibit reading, selecting or entering a phone number, or name in an electronic wireless device for the purpose of making or receiving a phone call. Drivers are strongly urged not to enter a phone number while driving.

Penalties
Violating the law is an infraction and the violator is subject to a: $20 fine for the first offense and $50 fine for each subsequent offense. A negligent operator point will not be assigned to a driver found guilty of a text-messaging violation.

[Ashliana]

It should be common sense not to text message while driving, but apparently some people need the government to order them not to. Wee!

Kinda crazy that the fine is so low--especially for something that's probably as dangerous as drunk driving. Maybe VA just has absurdly high fines (it does), but I didn't think they were that out of tune with the rest of the US.

[Drunken Durfin]

A lot actually. Mostly teenagers, but a frightening slice of the pie contains the Crackberry population - who are old enough to know better.

[Stretch]

I check my e-mail every morning on the way to work on my Blackberry.

[g++]

I text while driving I can key without looking then check to see its legible real quick and send. 20 dollar fine? LOL so economically theres about a 1 in 1,000 chance I will ever be caught texting while driving and in the event that I am the fine is 20 bucks....thats like the equivalent of a .00001 cent tax on texting while driving.

[B2]

It makes you wonder how often this was happening that it needed to be passed into law?

Look into any other car while you're driving, you'll see someone doing it.

Last week at a red light, the car in front of me rammed into the car in front of him. From a full stop. At a red light. Because he was texting and somehow got confused? I felt bad for the teenager he rear ended.

A few months ago we switched delivery drivers at the store I work for because the old one drove his truck off the road while texting. He claimed he fell asleep but his phone records said otherwise. The new guy that replaced him is flipping fantastic, though.

And then there's that train thing.

This is why I'm against texting. If it's so damn pressing that you have to tell me right now, you can call me. If you can't make the call, then you probably shouldn't be texting either.

[Sean]

Yea I use my blackberry while driving a lot but mainly it's I check when it's chirping to see who/what it is then I decide if its important enough to deal with in my car. Usually it's not.

[CrystalTears]

I don't notice it around here because you're not allowed to use a phone unless it's with hands-free accessories in CT. Once in a while I still see people using their phone and they're driving like idiots, so no, if I saw people texting I'd go ballistic.

Besides, I really only notice texting to the point of bothering me in movie theaters. What is so fucking important during a movie that you have to text someone that very minute?

[Drew2]

I text when I'm driving all the time. I'm pro, tho.

Also, if anyone ever gets caught, can't they just say "I was putting in a phone number" and they get off?

[Proxy]

nice idea, but once again the implementation = fail. fines should be more around 500 for first, 1000 for second, suspension of license for 3rd +

[g++]

Fuck do you care, if I side swipe your jaded ass ill be doing you a favor

[AnticorRifling]

I think they should ban deaf people from riding in cars. You ever seen someone using sign language and driving?! Now that is scary shit.

And yes I'm serious.

[Proxy]

Fuck do you care, if I side swipe your jaded ass ill be doing you a favor

Don't Care? Never said I didn't. And in fact I actualy think the law is a move in the right direction.

[Bobmuhthol]

<<Kinda crazy that the fine is so low--especially for something that's probably as dangerous as drunk driving.>>

You'd definitely want to be my passenger when I'm texting vs. when I'm drunk. What a retarded statement.

[Tea & Strumpets]

I think they should ban deaf people from riding in cars. You ever seen someone using sign language and driving?! Now that is scary shit.

And yes I'm serious.

That granny that flipped you the bird wasn't deaf. Stop being such a weenie.

[AnticorRifling]

That granny that flipped you the bird wasn't deaf. Stop being such a weenie.
She also flashed her boobs, I was so confused... a little excited, but mostly confused.

[g++]

Don't Care? Never said I didn't. And in fact I actualy think the law is a move in the right direction.

I was implying, mostly as a joke, that some one who is as down on the world as you should view unexpected death as a positive. I had just finished reading Seans my ex-wife, current girl friend, love of his next door neighbors life is cheating on him thread so that painted my response. Sorry you can start sentences with fuck in real life and it makes sense but it doesn't have the inflection it does when you type it.

[diethx]

I was implying, mostly as a joke, that some one who is as down on the world as you should view unexpected death as a positive. I had just finished reading Seans my ex-wife, current girl friend, love of his next door neighbors life is cheating on him thread so that painted my response. Sorry you can start sentences with fuck in real life and it makes sense but it doesn't have the inflection it does when you type it.

I understood it fine.

[Ashliana]

<<Kinda crazy that the fine is so low--especially for something that's probably as dangerous as drunk driving.>>

You'd definitely want to be my passenger when I'm texting vs. when I'm drunk. What a retarded statement.

If you, for once, knew what you were talking about rather than mouthing off to be the asshole that you are, you might be familiar with several studies indicating that merely talking on a cell phone is as impairing as being drunk is.

Texting, unless you're super-familiar with your phone, probably involves more distraction and more looking at the phone and away from the road than simply talking on it. It would stand to reason texting is at least as dangerous if not moreso than some specific level of alcoholic impairment.

Now, maybe, if you're completely drunk off your ass, which doesn't seem too unlikely coming from you, there'd be a basis for making that assertion.

[AnticorRifling]

If you, for once, knew what you were talking about rather than mouthing off to be the asshole that you are, you might be familiar with several studies indicating that merely talking on a cell phone is as impairing as being drunk is.

Texting, unless you're super-familiar with your phone, probably involves more distraction and more looking at the phone and away from the road than simply talking on it. It would stand to reason texting is at least as dangerous if not moreso than some specific level of alcoholic impairment.

Now, maybe, if you're completely drunk off your ass, which doesn't seem too unlikely coming from you, there'd be a basis for making that assertion.


http://tshirtmaven.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/a812_bm1.gif

[diethx]

I just don't understand why if it's so important to send a text in the middle of driving, you can't pull over to the side of the road for a second and do it. If you can't do that, then it's just not important enough and you should wait until you get to your destination.

[diethx]

Oh also this topic irritates me, because I want a new phone with a QWERTY keyboard and all of the phones I can get from Verizon SUCK. I don't like the new env2. J got a neon green rumor on Black Friday and I freaking love it but I don't want to switch providers, especially not to Sprint. Sprint gets all the awesome phones... rumor, Samsung rant, that new purple Lotus with the flower prints all over it omg wtf I WANT THAT. I hate Verizon phones. :(

[g++]

Most weekends when I am on the road on my way to a party or bar people will be texting me a change of plans or something and asking for a confirmation because the party or bar is too loud to call. Will wait till im coasting with nothing in front of me or at a light and read it, then put the phone down and steer with my left hand to tap out whatever I want to say like "K" or bt@9 or "h8 that plac" with my right hand. The hard part is keeping my dog who I keep in the front seat from spilling my 40 every where.

[AnticorRifling]

I don't use shorthand when I text. I have a qwerty for a reason. I fucking hate that brb lol omg shit. 99% of my texts are to my brother saying stupid shit.

[diethx]

The hard part is keeping my dog who I keep in the front seat from spilling my 40 every where.

lol

[Sean]

Oh also this topic irritates me, because I want a new phone with a QWERTY keyboard and all of the phones I can get from Verizon SUCK. I don't like the new env2. J got a neon green rumor on Black Friday and I freaking love it but I don't want to switch providers, especially not to Sprint. Sprint gets all the awesome phones... rumor, Samsung rant, that new purple Lotus with the flower prints all over it omg wtf I WANT THAT. I hate Verizon phones. :(

Join the blackberry revolution...

[diethx]

The Pearl doesn't have a qwerty and the curve is still like 100 bucks I think after my discount. I'm poor and cheap. :(

[Joe]

Yeah, the fine's $20... but the court costs they tack on will probably make it a $100 ticket.

[Kyra231]

This is a news bulletin I received from CA DMV. It made me wonder how often this was happening that it needed to be passed into law.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

New Law Bans Texting
Effective January 1, 2009, a new law expands the prohibition of using a wireless communication device while driving a motor vehicle, to include writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication such as text-messaging, instant messaging, and email.

Exemptions
This new law excludes emergency professionals who use these devices, while operating an emergency vehicle in the course and scope of his or her duties. This law does not prohibit reading, selecting or entering a phone number, or name in an electronic wireless device for the purpose of making or receiving a phone call. Drivers are strongly urged not to enter a phone number while driving.

Penalties
Violating the law is an infraction and the violator is subject to a: $20 fine for the first offense and $50 fine for each subsequent offense. A negligent operator point will not be assigned to a driver found guilty of a text-messaging violation.

If they added some points to it, it might be worth having as a law. $20 or $50 is just going to be a joke to most people.

[Sean of the Thread]

I may set a web cam up pointing at one of the busiest roads in pinellas county and call it CELLPHONELANE.COM

When I'm out having a smoke almost every single driver is using a cellphone.

Then again there has been like 8 accidents in front of my house or into my neighbor's house in the past 4 years.

[Bobmuhthol]

<<If you, for once, knew what you were talking about rather than mouthing off to be the asshole that you are, you might be familiar with several studies indicating that merely talking on a cell phone is as impairing as being drunk is.>>

You're fucking retarded. Like I said, you'd definitely rather be my passenger while I'm texting, no matter how many studies have been conducted on people who aren't me.

<<Now, maybe, if you're completely drunk off your ass, which doesn't seem too unlikely coming from you, there'd be a basis for making that assertion.>>

It's funny that you think this; I don't drink.

[Stanley Burrell]

Oh also this topic irritates me, because I want a new phone with a QWERTY keyboard

Get a DVORAK nubmuffins.

[The Ponzzz]

And the fine is still lower than NY's $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second. To make the fine so low, who fucking cares.

[Proxy]

I was implying, mostly as a joke, that some one who is as down on the world as you should view unexpected death as a positive. I had just finished reading Seans my ex-wife, current girl friend, love of his next door neighbors life is cheating on him thread so that painted my response. Sorry you can start sentences with fuck in real life and it makes sense but it doesn't have the inflection it does when you type it.

Oh, no worries then. As far as the unexpected death being positive. It is. I fully endorse Darwin Awards to. There is nothing like getting up in the morning logging onto your favorite news site, and find that there are fewer humans in the world today then their were the day before. :)

[Ashliana]

<<If you, for once, knew what you were talking about rather than mouthing off to be the asshole that you are, you might be familiar with several studies indicating that merely talking on a cell phone is as impairing as being drunk is.>>

You're fucking retarded. Like I said, you'd definitely rather be my passenger while I'm texting, no matter how many studies have been conducted on people who aren't me.

<<Now, maybe, if you're completely drunk off your ass, which doesn't seem too unlikely coming from you, there'd be a basis for making that assertion.>>

It's funny that you think this; I don't drink.

So either you're overestimating your ability to drive while texting, underestimating the danger you're putting yourself in, alcohol affects you more than most and/or simply/generally an idiot. Most likely all of the above.

[g++]

So either you're overestimating your ability to drive while texting, underestimating the danger you're putting yourself in, alcohol affects you more than most and/or simply generally an idiot. Most likely all of the above.

Let me posit an alternative solution. Your wrong and he is right. Since neither of you have presented any evidence this conclusion is equally acceptable.

[Proxy]

So either you're overestimating your ability to drive while texting, underestimating the danger you're putting yourself in, alcohol affects you more than most and/or simply generally an idiot. Most likely all of the above.

you always seem to come up with some winning burns. I lol

[Sean of the Thread]

So either you're overestimating your ability to drive while texting, underestimating the danger you're putting yourself in, alcohol affects you more than most and/or simply/generally an idiot. Most likely all of the above.


Bob's sperm has a higher I.Q. than you even when you swallow it.

[Gan]

The Pearl doesn't have a qwerty and the curve is still like 100 bucks I think after my discount. I'm poor and cheap. :(

I have the curve, but now want the BB Storm. :drool:
http://blackrabbit.fr/__oneclick_uploads/2008/08/rim_blackberry_thunder_9500_series.jpg

[Seran]

It makes you wonder how often this was happening that it needed to be passed into law?

They'd passed a similair law banning the usage of all cell phones and other hand held communication devices. The reason the texting law was put on the books was a horrible train crash that occured while the engineer of the commuter was text messaging.

[Ashliana]

Bob's sperm has a higher I.Q. than you even when you swallow it.

Back to the trailer, Sean! Go on, git!

[Miscast]

So...can we play Gemstone on iPhones now?

:medieval:

[Liagala]

you might be familiar with several studies indicating that merely talking on a cell phone is as impairing as being drunk is.

These studies are bull, IMO. They try to say that holding a cell phone to your ear is so terribly distracting, and causes thousands of accidents... bull monkies. I drive standard - does keeping my hand on the gear shift distract me? Resting my arm on the windowsill and holding a cigarette or tapping out the beat to whatever song is on? Reaching over to turn on the heat (yes, I can turn the knob for the heat without taking my eyes off the road)? Now a few years later they're doing new studies, and these new studies proclaim that it isn't the physical act of holding your hand next to your head after all, merely talking is distraction enough. So when are they going to start handing out tickets for having someone sitting in your passenger seat? If talking is so distracting, cars should all become one-seaters, no?

People should be ticketed for texting, programming numbers into their phone, applying make-up, doing their hair, and anything else that takes their eyes off the road... not for talking.

[Ashliana]

These studies are bull, IMO. They try to say that holding a cell phone to your ear is so terribly distracting, and causes thousands of accidents... bull monkies. I drive standard - does keeping my hand on the gear shift distract me? Resting my arm on the windowsill and holding a cigarette or tapping out the beat to whatever song is on? Reaching over to turn on the heat (yes, I can turn the knob for the heat without taking my eyes off the road)? Now a few years later they're doing new studies, and these new studies proclaim that it isn't the physical act of holding your hand next to your head after all, merely talking is distraction enough. So when are they going to start handing out tickets for having someone sitting in your passenger seat? If talking is so distracting, cars should all become one-seaters, no?

People should be ticketed for texting, programming numbers into their phone, applying make-up, doing their hair, and anything else that takes their eyes off the road... not for talking.

"Studies are bull." Have you examined them? They focus on reaction time and peripheral vision. People tend to pay less attention to what's not right in front of them while on a cell phone--even hands free--they tend not to look in the rear view mirror, side mirrors and take seconds longer to respond to time critical events.

Same studies also show that talking to a person in the car doesn't result in the same kind of lack of attention paid to the road. Make of them what you will.

[Liagala]

"Studies are bull." Have you examined them? They focus on reaction time and peripheral vision. People tend to pay less attention to what's not right in front of them while on a cell phone--even hands free--they tend not to look in the rear view mirror, side mirrors and take seconds longer to respond to time critical events.

Same studies also show that talking to a person in the car doesn't result in the same kind of lack of attention paid to the road. Make of them what you will.

Honestly, no. I haven't examined them, so I could be making myself look like a complete ass at the moment. I'll take that risk. I just do not see how holding my hand next to my head to talk to someone makes me less attentive than talking to someone next to me. I pay more attention to the road when I'm on my phone than I do when someone's in the passenger seat - it's a natural reaction to look at someone when you talk to them. I don't use the phone while driving unless it's important, and even then I usually end up going "wait... what?" a few times because I was looking in the rearview or side mirror and my attention was on the cars around me, instead of my conversation.

[CrystalTears]

These studies are bull, IMO. They try to say that holding a cell phone to your ear is so terribly distracting, and causes thousands of accidents... bull monkies. I drive standard - does keeping my hand on the gear shift distract me? Resting my arm on the windowsill and holding a cigarette or tapping out the beat to whatever song is on? Reaching over to turn on the heat (yes, I can turn the knob for the heat without taking my eyes off the road)? Now a few years later they're doing new studies, and these new studies proclaim that it isn't the physical act of holding your hand next to your head after all, merely talking is distraction enough. So when are they going to start handing out tickets for having someone sitting in your passenger seat? If talking is so distracting, cars should all become one-seaters, no?It's a whole different type of distraction though. It's a combination of not having your hands free AND being caught up in a conversation on the phone.

I find the conversations you have with your passenger not as engaging as one you have on the phone. You have to put more attention to the phone. You can just as easily tell your passenger to shut up. Evidently people don't want to not answer their phone until they're able to talk without any distractions.

Your hand on the gear shift is just a natural part of driving anyway. Holding/smoking a cigarette doesn't take concentration to do and it takes about a minute to finish. Fussing with the radio and/or the weather controls takes seconds.

Now compare those fractions of time activities to being engaged in a conversation on a phone. For some reason, some people zone out a bit while on one.


People should be ticketed for texting, programming numbers into their phone, applying make-up, doing their hair, and anything else that takes their eyes off the road... not for talking. They should be ticketed for any of it, including talking on the phone. If it's that important, pull over.

[Sean]

Who actually looks at the key pad when they're txting? Assuming most people (except DieThx) have QWERTY keyboards on their phones these days.

[Liagala]

It's a whole different type of distraction though. It's a combination of not having your hands free AND being caught up in a conversation on the phone.

Maybe I'm just odd, but I do far more stupid crap on the road when I'm talking to a passenger than I do on the phone. I look over at the person I'm talking to, I get much more into the conversation, my autopilot takes over and I miss a turn, etc. On the phone I'm more distant, I say what I have to say and hang up, and if the conversation lasts longer than a minute or so, I tend to lose the thread and have to back up because I wasn't paying attention to the person talking. As for the hands-free part... it's going to take a lot to convince me that my attention is somehow distracted when my hand is next to my head, but focused when the hand is resting on the wheel or gear shift.

[CrystalTears]

As for the hands-free part... it's going to take a lot to convince me that my attention is somehow distracted when my hand is next to my head, but focused when the hand is resting on the wheel or gear shift.I'm not saying that you're more distracted when you're holding a phone. I'm saying it's a different kind of distraction.

When you have your hand resting on your wheel or gear shift, if something happens that you need to make a fast maneuver, your hands are ready to go. With a phone in your hand, you have to release it fast in order to grab the wheel or emergency break or whatever. And since we're spending up to a couple of hundred dollars on our phone, we're not so quick to throw the thing and risk it breaking.

You and I may be responsible drivers that can multitask, but it doesn't mean the average driver can handle it. Hell some can barely drive straight when they're focused, imagine with them engaged in a phone conversation... ugh.

[Liagala]

When you have your hand resting on your wheel or gear shift, if something happens that you need to make a fast maneuver, your hands are ready to go.

Now that's a good point, and makes far more sense than some line about your attention wandering because you moved your hand. I'll concede that point...


it doesn't mean the average driver can handle it. Hell some can barely drive straight when they're focused, imagine with them engaged in a phone conversation... ugh.

... and that one. Some people should really not have licenses. On another note, I think people should have to take road tests every few years once they hit 65 or so. I was in the car with my grandfather a while ago, and seriously wasn't sure either of us would make it home alive. He really, really needs to be taken off the road.

[SHAFT]

If you, for once, knew what you were talking about rather than mouthing off to be the asshole that you are, you might be familiar with several studies indicating that merely talking on a cell phone is as impairing as being drunk is.

Texting, unless you're super-familiar with your phone, probably involves more distraction and more looking at the phone and away from the road than simply talking on it. It would stand to reason texting is at least as dangerous if not moreso than some specific level of alcoholic impairment.

Now, maybe, if you're completely drunk off your ass, which doesn't seem too unlikely coming from you, there'd be a basis for making that assertion.

You seem to bring a lot of negative attention and feedback when you come around. Why is that?

[CrystalTears]

You seem to bring a lot of negative attention and feedback when you come around. Why is that?Gender conflict? ADD? Protein deficiency?

Oh wait that's Necronancy. I tend to get them confused. :D

[LadyLaphrael]

These studies are bull, IMO.

If the Mythbusters say it's true, then I'm convinced.

[SHAFT]

Gender conflict? ADD? Protein deficiency?

Oh wait that's Necronancy. I tend to get them confused. :D

Just never seem to find anything positive when Ashlianna posts or when someone responds.

[diethx]

I have the curve, but now want the BB Storm. :drool:
http://blackrabbit.fr/__oneclick_uploads/2008/08/rim_blackberry_thunder_9500_series.jpg

Yeah, the storm is sexy. I think it would cost me something like $150 though! :(


You seem to bring a lot of negative attention and feedback when you come around. Why is that?

plz go back to your other avatar, she was at least cute. The new one is gross!


Gender conflict? ADD? Protein deficiency?

Oh wait that's Necronancy. I tend to get them confused. :D

lol pwn

[iJin]

I text when I'm driving all the time. I'm pro, tho.



Like when you're texting lyrics?!


I usually don't bother enough to even answer ims or texts when I'm driving. Or at all.

[Tisket]

I'd kill people if I tried to text while driving. For real.

[diethx]

Someone buy me a purple LG Lotus plz. I promise I won't text while driving. :D

[SHAFT]

Yeah, the storm is sexy. I think it would cost me something like $150 though! :(



plz go back to your other avatar, she was at least cute. The new one is gross!



lol pwn

Am I the only one that finds humor in christina aguilera acknowledging her giant tits?

[diethx]

Nah the pose is funny I just think she's gross and the other chick was cute (even if a bit distracting).

[Celephais]

Damnit... there needs to be some way for people to quote avatars... I see these posts and then go look at his avatar and it's different than whatever the hell he's talking about.

These are things of grave importance.

[diethx]

Damnit... there needs to be some way for people to quote avatars... I see these posts and then go look at his avatar and it's different than whatever the hell he's talking about.

These are things of grave importance.

Save the picture and then upload it in a quote? I know it's a pita but it's something.

edit: durr, nevermind, I should have reread the conversation. I misunderstood you. nm