Bottleneck Bulletin: California would outlaw text-messaging while driving under a bill that’s headed for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk. The state already requires adult drivers to use handsfree devices for cell phones. It bars 16- and 17-year-olds from using any device to talk or text while driving. The bill approved Thursday would authorize $20 fines for adults if they’re caught text-messaging while driving. Repeat offenses could result in $50 fines. The measure’s author, Sen. Joe Simitian of Palo Alto, says California should do more to prevent driving distractions. -- Associated Press

Comments

[Spokker]

"we just take more rights away."

What right do you have to use a cell phone while driving? In fact, what right do you have to even drive? It's a privilege granted to you by the state of California that is subject to laws that are subject to change pending legislative action. Driving isn't some inherent right.

I understand if you think not being able to text while driving would make for a dumb law, but don't act like it's some right being taken away.

[perks]

RB, here's an idea that might even make sense to you: IF THE PEOPLE WHO REAR-ENDED ME HAD BEEN CAUGHT BEFORE THEY REAR-ENDED ME, PERHAPS THEY WOULDN'T HAVE REAR-ENDED ME. Whether someone gets a ticket afterwards makes absolutely no difference to me when I'm forced to go through the trouble of dealing with insurance companies, doctors, mechanics, rental car agencies, etc. You're right: people SHOULD be responsible. But we all know that there are plenty of idiots out there, and I have no problems with taking away the "right" for people to engage in stupid and dangerous behavior if it saves me from having to suffer as a result. If you can prove there's a "safe" way to text-message while driving, I'll happily change my stance. But good luck.

[RB]

Hey Perks, then punish those people who rear ended you, not the ones that didn't. You can't tell me that those are the only two people using their phones while driving behind you. Again, I know my arguments fall upon deaf ears, but for being the land of the free, we sure do have a lot of laws dictating what we can and can't do. Instead of promoting responsibility, we just take more rights away.

[Spokker]

What people are doing now is dialing and putting their phone on speaker mode, which requires another button press.

When they dial, they keep their phone low so cops won't see it, which means they have to take their eyes off the road as they look down, where before they usually lifted their phone up to eye level and dialed. Both are dangerous, but the second method allowed you to keep more of your eye on the road.

[KateNonymous]

$20 and then $50 won't provide enough of a deterrent.

[perks]

Hey RB, I've been rear-ended by two idiots who seemed to think text-messaging was a great idea while creeping along on the 405. Go ahead and try to convince me it doesn't contribute to accidents.

Hike the fines to $2000 and maybe we'll actually see people paying attention.

[Spokker]

"punishing only those that actually cause accidents due to cell phone use?"

Yes, but wouldn't that require another law?

[RB]

I don't agree with either law. Why put one more law on the books? Are there really that many people creating accidents that we need to distract the officers from catching the people we would rather them look for? I know I'm in a minority here and I can't argue that repealing the law wouldn't cause more accidents, but it seems silly that someone creeping along the 405 at 7:00 pm would do a lot of damage while passing the grueling time in traffic. Wouldn't we do better by educating people, letting them make the choice and punishing only those that actually cause accidents due to cell phone use? Why punish everybody? Sometimes I think our lawmakers are just making up stuff to do now. Now as the texting ban is making its way to the governor's desk we still don't have a budget. Way to tackle the hard stuff first lawmakers.

[M]

Based on the number of people I still see driving and talking on cell phones, it doesn't seem like these $20 fines are doing much to discourage people from this unlawful behavior.