From Stark
Talking on a cellphone while driving is dangerous. That seems pretty clear from accident research–even if the driver uses “hands free” systems that are legal in Washington state. Now, the National Transportation Safety Board is urging states to toughen laws and the enforcement of those laws.
Here’s the full report from AP.
The article notes that the NTSB does not have the authority to impose its wishes on states.
“No call, no text, no update is worth a human life,” NTSB chairwoman Deborah Hersman said.
Hard to argue that point. But I suspect that really tough cellphone laws and enforcement of those laws will meet a lot of resistance. State legislators, who often spend a lot of time on the road, are probably not going to outlaw a practice that is important to their lifestyles. And it’s not just them. Even though it’s illegal to press a phone to your head while driving, it still seems to be common practice for lots of people, as you may have noticed.
Much to my annoyance, the AP story above misuses “it’s” at one point.
Inattentive driving has been against the law for many, many years. From tuning the radio to checking on a toddler to eating a pizza to putting on make up to cell phones to texting; whether it’s a blanket statute or a technology-specific law.
The problem has always been prevention and enforcement, not a lack of legal basis for penalizing the behavior.
Come on NTSB, we need real help in finding ways to stop inattentive driving, not another avalanche of nanny-laws that obscure rather than clarify the critical message that inattentive driving is deadly dangerous.
And the NTSB et al., better hurry up, we are already seeing the mobile internet threat overtake all of the previous technology-driven inattentive driving hazards at light-speed.
Having too many laws gives meaning to the saying of “not being able to see the forest because of the trees”!
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
There has been some apparent success in reducing drunk-driving related deaths–through tougher penalties and enforcement, as well as the heightened awareness of the risk. Of course, the awareness is partly due to the penalties. How can we raise awareness of this danger? Or are we willing to tolerate the deaths that are resulting, as part of the cost of convenience?
Personally I like hands free as a convenience.
Whether it’s death by cell phone or by combing your hair the reason be the same, it is called acting irresponsibly while driving (AIWD).
So what is the solution a trillion new laws to cover every known or future unknown infraction?
How about a carrot instead of a stick like if you buy a blue tooth you get an insurance discount and even though I’s don’t have to worry about the hair combing ticket either what about cops being able to cite anyone for behaving irresponsibly behind the wheel for whatever behavior that cop would like to go before a judge and argue as irresponsible and let the court decide, it’s the American way right? But at least spare us laws on top of laws till the sun is blocked out!
Who knows maybe we could create a whole new AIWD industry as we have with DWI.
AFY!!theheelotsheepdog!!!
If the people texting while driving were only risking their own lives, I would have less of a problem with it. But I do have some skepticism that laws are the answer. Awfully tough to enforce.
I think SCWIS has a good point. There are sufficient laws on the books. Just increase enforcement.
Penalize those that actually cause harm, or show signs that they could harm… such as changing lanes without signaling (while on cel phone), speeding (while texting), and other erratic or inattentive car behavior while using a cel phone.
There are sufficient laws on the books, it’s called prison!
http://www.adn.com/2011/12/13/2216937/suspect-charged-in-texting-accident.html
It’s already on the books, where we need another law, for the law we already have?
RCW 46.61.520
Vehicular homicide — Penalty.
(1) When the death of any person ensues within three years as a proximate result of injury proximately caused by the driving of any vehicle by any person, the driver is guilty of vehicular homicide if the driver was operating a motor vehicle:
(a) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, as defined by RCW 46.61.502; or
(b) In a reckless manner; or
(c) With disregard for the safety of others.
(2) Vehicular homicide is a class A felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW, except that, for a conviction under subsection (1)(a) of this section, an additional two years shall be added to the sentence for each prior offense as defined in RCW 46.61.5055.