Bulldogcakes
05-13-2007, 09:09 AM
Story (http://www.nbc10.com/news/13286707/detail.html?rss=phi&psp=news)
The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee voted unanimously to release the proposal after several legislators admitted frequently firing off text messages while behind the wheel, even though they know doing so is dangerous.
Assemblyman Paul Moriarty acknowledges doing it himself, but he's not proud of it.
"It's very, very dangerous," he said.
Citing that risk, the Democratic assemblyman wants to stop motorists from sending text messages while driving.
"It's more dangerous than talking on a cell phone because I believe you can keep your eyes on the road when talking on a cell phone," Moriarty said.
The proposed bill would fine drivers up to $250 if caught using mobile devices to send text messages. Unlike the state's ban on using a hand-held cell phone while driving, police would be able to stop anyone they see sending text messages while driving.
Personally, I think this makes more sense than the talking while driving ban, though $250 is outlandish. Typing and driving just don't go together. Requires all your attention, while you can talk and drive as long as you remember to stay aware of your surroundings. The cell phone bans made sense when cell phones first proliferated and most people didn't know how to talk and drive at the same time. A public awareness campaign would have made more sense than a outright ban, or a ban that combined a driver swerving/driving erratically before being pulled over. You know, having actual CAUSE before the state acts. But hey lets face it, its really their money at the end of the day, not yours. You just earn it and hold it for them till they need it.
I also think its almost completely unenforceable. How a Cop will be able to see you doing this as you drive is a mystery to me.
The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee voted unanimously to release the proposal after several legislators admitted frequently firing off text messages while behind the wheel, even though they know doing so is dangerous.
Assemblyman Paul Moriarty acknowledges doing it himself, but he's not proud of it.
"It's very, very dangerous," he said.
Citing that risk, the Democratic assemblyman wants to stop motorists from sending text messages while driving.
"It's more dangerous than talking on a cell phone because I believe you can keep your eyes on the road when talking on a cell phone," Moriarty said.
The proposed bill would fine drivers up to $250 if caught using mobile devices to send text messages. Unlike the state's ban on using a hand-held cell phone while driving, police would be able to stop anyone they see sending text messages while driving.
Personally, I think this makes more sense than the talking while driving ban, though $250 is outlandish. Typing and driving just don't go together. Requires all your attention, while you can talk and drive as long as you remember to stay aware of your surroundings. The cell phone bans made sense when cell phones first proliferated and most people didn't know how to talk and drive at the same time. A public awareness campaign would have made more sense than a outright ban, or a ban that combined a driver swerving/driving erratically before being pulled over. You know, having actual CAUSE before the state acts. But hey lets face it, its really their money at the end of the day, not yours. You just earn it and hold it for them till they need it.
I also think its almost completely unenforceable. How a Cop will be able to see you doing this as you drive is a mystery to me.