California outlaws texting while driving... finally
After wiping the egg off his face for approving legislation earlier this year that banned cell phone use yet still allowed texting behind the wheel, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hurriedly signed legislation today banning drivers from sending, writing, or reading messages on electronic devices. If you are one of those text-messaging morons in the fast lane, no need to worry as the law doesn't go into effect until January. Even when it does, the fine for a first offense is only $20 (what, a mere 5 gallons of gas?), and the second offense is just $50. Considering it is still legal to type in a phone number on a keypad while driving... um, we haven't the foggiest idea on how they are going to actually enforce this law in the first place.
[Source: Los Angeles Times]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Virginia Wolf 9:07AM (9/25/2008)
I think a law needs to be modified. If you caused an accident while texting, you are liable for all the damages and the second part of the law should be that insurance companies can not provide coverage for damages caused by driver who was texting.
After a few suits where texters end up paying a few hundred thousand dollars.....most will stop.
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Flashpoint 11:01AM (9/25/2008)
The Lincoln MKS has a really intelligent system to get around texting.
When you recieve a text, your bluetooth phone synched to the car sends the text to the car.
The car reads it to you over the speaker.
It also displays the message on the navigation screen.
You simply touch a canned answer which will be sent back as a reply. The car doesn't allow you to type a reply, but the canned responses are pretty decent:
"yes"
"no"
"in 5 min"
"in 10 min"
"I'm busy driving now"
"see ya later"
,etc
A very very cool innovation which needs to be in all cars (all Ford Sync equipped cars will have it)
Go5Go 5:24PM (9/25/2008)
@Flashpoint:
That is a great concept from Lincoln. I was just thinking about for the iPhone, like having a "driving mode" for texts that has an autorespond: " I am driving right now, I'll text you back when I reach my destination" or something of that sort.
Joe Lemire 12:30PM (12/20/2008)
We just launched a G1 App that prevents Texting and Driving called Textecution. (www.textecution.com)
It temporarily disables texting while the car is in motion. If the car stops, you can text. If you are a passenger, you can request permission from your parents to text. The parent can grant permission by sending a text. The permission expires in 4 hours. We are pretty excited about the G1 and other Apps we can develop.
JZeke 9:09AM (9/25/2008)
Is that guy texting in a mid-80s Buick?
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fadimus 9:53AM (9/25/2008)
I do have to say, I like the linear lines of that interior.
BoneHeadOtto 10:24AM (9/25/2008)
my thoughts exactly. He is using his "car phone" to text in his 80's buick.
ravxd 9:14AM (9/25/2008)
welcome to komifornia, here we take all your rights away.
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compy386 9:24AM (9/25/2008)
I'm against most things that the PRC does. But this really does seem like common sense. People are bad enough drivers to begin with. Texting just seems like a terrible idea.
Justin 9:32AM (9/25/2008)
Sure, because it should totally be a right for you to be distracting yourself with something as stupid as a text message when you slam into somebody.
Don't be a moron.
JJC 11:59PM (9/25/2008)
Ravxd it sure feels that way. Cant do this cant do that cant do this. California used to be seen as the most free of all the states but it is quickly becoming the most policed. It is ridiculous.
bduddy 6:59PM (9/25/2008)
Yes, all of the rights you shouldn't have in the first place...
xspeedy 11:01AM (9/25/2008)
Well, it could help with deciding fault if it can be proven through the logs on a phone that messages were being sent or read just prior to an accident.
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au1357 11:12AM (9/25/2008)
You guys are really dating yourselves with the old pick of an 80's buick with a early 90's phone. Come on couldn't you guys be a little more current?
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DKB_SATX 9:48AM (9/25/2008)
Yes, but does it make it illegal to text while you're operating a TRAIN? That's the recent high-profile texting incident in CA.
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why not the LS2LS7? 10:09AM (9/25/2008)
Nope. But it was already prohibited for employees of the train company in question.
Alex 9:48AM (9/25/2008)
I don't know how it is in California but in Pennsylvania most violations are only on the order of $15 to $30. Speeding will only land you a $20 fine. Its all the ancilary fees that are tacked on that take the total bill north of $100.
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leather bear 4:34PM (9/25/2008)
@ Alex:
Exactly! A recent article in the San Jose Mercury News about the fines for a cell phone use ticket stated that $20 price of a first offense gets bumped up to $96 here in Santa Clara county once all of the surcharges, additional fees, and court costs get tacked on (these will vary from county to county). The same will no doubt apply to a citation under new texting law when it goes into effect.
I wonder how many of the boobs that are currently flouting the existing cell phone law realize that one of these tickets will cost them a Benjamin instead of Jackson?
JJC 10:07AM (9/25/2008)
Quite frankly this is ridiculous. I do not txt and rarely do I talk on the phone but I feel like this law is part of the problem here in America. America is suffocating itself slowly but surely with all these useless ridiculous laws. Next you wont be able to breath without permission. The sad thing is people allow this kind of s--t to happen. Good job to all those morons who voted for arnold btw.
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RBW 11:32AM (9/25/2008)
Next thing you know they'll want to take away my right to drive drunk!