California's tough stand on cell phone use in cars......

[BlackBeauty]

Good to see that California is really, really serious about enforcing the soon-to-be-law banning hand-held cell phones whilst driving.

Wait for it: $20 for the first time you get caught. And a whopping $50 for all subsequent times……….

Wow – that’ll stop this ludicrous practice in its tracks, eh!!??

It amazes me how often you see people start their call while leaving or immediately after leaving a car park - or some other location where there was a perfect opportunity to make a call whilst NOT driving.

[ooobaby]

About d*mn time, but I think the fine should go up with each subsequent infraction like the fines around here for letting your pet get loose and having it picked up by the pound! Some people are going to look at that cell phone fine as just the cost of doing business.

[ This message was edited by: ooobaby on 2006-09-19 16:58 ]

[bluesjeans]

They should have snipers strategically placed along roadways ready to "take out" the next passing motorist using a cell phone, especially those who are writing text messages..!!!

[stevecro]

I don't know if you guys have a demerit points system over there but I think people are far more likely to care when it means losing points than a fine.

Besides that, $50 is a lot for some people while it's a splash in the ocean for others.
At least with points deductions we're all equal!

I'm all for having one of these (illegal) blockers so that anyone within 50 metres of me starts to lose reception.

Mmmmm! now there's a chance to make some cash with that technology :-D
Imagine us all having a blocker under the seats of our bikes!

[ This message was edited by: stevecro on 2006-09-19 20:33 ]

[Jerry]

I wonder if this law will include police talking on their radios / cell phones, cab drivers, radio dispatched curriers and like. How about CB radios? If there enacting ridicules law lets make sure it includes every aspect of talking on a mechanical device while driving.

I hope all you motorcycle enthusiasts talking on your intercom systems enjoy your citations. It’s the same thing as talking on a cell phone.

If I’m wearing my earpiece…. Am I talking to someone on the phone or just singing along with my radio. Prove I was using the phone. Another stupid law that is easily evaded.

[Stlakid]

About d*mn time, but I think the fine should go up with each subsequent infraction like the fines around here for letting your pet get loose and having it picked up by the pound! Some people are going to look at that cell phone fine as just the cost of doing business.

Well this one really hits home! I agree 100% on the cell phone thing, "It's about dam time"! But those fines are so out of line with current fines for almost any other infraction it's a joke! Example:

I recently got a ticket for having MY DOG off his leash while at one of the few parks that even allows dogs. I was the only person there, we were at least 250 yards from any sidewalk and my dog was less than 15' from me. My dog doesn't need a leash, he will stop dead in his tracks of chasing a cat if I call him! This cop (officer shows to much respect for someone that just generates revenue IMHO) drove his truck over the curb, across the sidewalk, across the park and then again over the sidewalk and jumped a curb as I was approaching my car to give me this ticket. This pisses me off because on a daily basis I see stupid old women with dogs they couldn't control with a leash and others with a yappy out of control rat on the end of a 30' reel!! :evil:

The cost for this serious crime, first offense, $114!

Any speeding ticket will get you a fine in the minimum range of $165 plus penalty assessment for your actual speed.

Drive into the car pool lane alone or even clip the line entering the lane and the minimum fine is $441!!!!!!!!

OOH, $20 bucks is really going to stop some soccer mom driving a $50,000 Escalade to Star-bucks so she can get a $6.00 cup of coffee!! What a joke the judicial system has become! We are all just ATM's to them any more. I see it everyday at LAX 25+ motor Officers just cruising around the airport, not for any ones safety, but to tap into our wallets for such serious offenders as tinted windows, no front plates, and burned out taillights! What *****!

[Haddi-Man]

First of all, it's not really $20. Every criminal fine in California comes with an additional 175% "penalty assessment", which is a polite way of saying "bend over so we can rape you financially". In other words, your $20 fine magically becomes $55, and your $50 fine becomes $137.50.

Second, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Cell phone usage does not cause a significant number of accidents. There is no valid scientific evidence to prove that it does. Have a look at this, for example:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transpo...e05.htm#table2

Cell phones were a factor in 0.1% of all accidents in California. That is one in one thousand accidents in which cell phones were even a factor. So what does this law do? It expands the already anyway.overwhelming police power in this state, inconveniences the vast majority of people who can quite safely drive and talk at the same time, and does absolutely nothing to reduce accidents. This is a feel good law, supported by a bunch of emotional and political arguments, NOT valid science. Californians like to think they are somehow better than those rednecks out in Kansas or wherever for passing anti-evolution laws, but if you actually believe the party line about most of the things you hear about, you are just as guilty of abandoning critical thinking as they are.

If you've been almost hit by someone on a cell phone, or have actually been in an accident caused by someone using a cell phone, then that sucks and that person should have been more careful and considerate. But is that really a good reason to create another totally ridiculous law? I for one don't think it is. Here's an idea: If you see someone not paying attention to the road, whether he or she is on a cell phone or not, do what you can not to get into an accident with that person. You should be riding like that no matter what, and if you're EVER counting on a cage to see you and avoid you while you're on your bike, you're as good as dead sooner or later anyway.

:gpst: - Right on.... Why not just ban talking, eating, or drinking while driving? If your to scared to be on the road, walk.

[Stlakid]

You make good points as to there being to many bullsh*t laws and I agree. The police have WAY to much power already. I have noticed many people who drive like ****e because they are ALWAYS on the phone though. I have a cell phone, but I don't feel the need to be on the dam thing my entire waking life!

Second, I've said it before and I'll say it again. Cell phone usage does not cause a significant number of accidents. There is no valid scientific evidence to prove that it does. Have a look at this, for example:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transpo...e05.htm#table2

You have stats, good. The only problem is how many of the people who were involved in an accident do you think told the truth about weather or not they were actually on the phone. If they can't tell they are swerving into your lane do you really think they are aware that their phone use was a factor in said accident. No perfect answer but I think it better than doing nothing. Lets face it MOST of the conversations are nonsense anyway and could wait until they get home. I feel the stats are probably WAY off the truth because as I said, most would lie about their cell phone use during an accident anyway.

Right on.... Why not just ban talking, eating, or drinking while driving? If your to scared to be on the road, walk

I somewhat agree here also. I don't want to give up any freedoms either. I think I'm able to make good judgment choices as most probably do. We know you're being sarcastic, but if they were only doing ONE at a time it might be better. And don't tell me you haven't seen the same soccer mom (or sales exec., Realtor, etc) in said 3 ton cage screaming at the kids in the back, holding a Starbucks in her left hand, on the cell with it stuck between her chin and shoulder and trying to control a vehicle she probably has trouble with because of it's sheer size without the added distractions. I've seen it; to many times.

[ This message was edited by: Stlakid on 2006-09-20 04:10 ]

[ooobaby]

There are a lot of distracting things that are done while driving that shouldn't be. However there was a study done that sampled over 600 people, which found that unlike any other activity done while driving, using a cell phone caused the user to focus their eyes on one point and never move them to scan the surrounding environment. I have experienced this myself first hand on numerous occasions while riding with someone who is on their cell phone and have had to shout at them to "watch it" or "look out" or "red light" or "umm, that's a green light" to avoid some developing traffic situation. Now, just what in the h*ll is so d*mn important that anyone has the "right" to unnecessarily put someone else's health or life at risk for a freaking phone call?