In an age where multi-tasking is ever more being considered essential to our survival, driving and texting is without doubt the most stupid and dangerous and yet it continues unabated.
The evidence is irrefutable and glaring: Driving and using a cell phone is the equivalent of drunk driving, while driving and texting is the same as being asleep at the wheel for a brief moment.
Taken in the context of other typical “distractions” on busy Phoenix roads and freeways such as tailgating, excessive speed and general inconsiderate driving, the cell phone comes into a category of its own but not dissimilar to Arizona’s open/carry weapons legislation. We might start seeing bumper stickers saying “Have cell phone, might kill.”
Isn’t it high time that our legislators face this real menace and introduce laws that really have bite ? Why should we have to accept that people will continue to be killed, maimed and injured by those drivers who simply feel it is imperative to be constantly texting and driving. You either do one or the other but not both at the same time!
Until that happens, a useful formatted text for drivers to have handy would be: “I might not see you later. I’m on the way to the morgue.”
Maxwell Coulthard
Mesa
samkat posted at 7:01 pm on Mon, Nov 12, 2012.
The only thing that will ever sway our right wing ultra conservatives to make these changes will be for some of them and/or their family members to get killed or badly maimed by one of these drivers. Then, and only then, will they agree to make such changes. Go onto any military installation here in Arizona and all cell phone use is confined to hands free. Violate it and you lose your on installation driving privileges as well as other punishment. Perhaps, this is what we need on our streets and highways.
Valleyman posted at 3:44 pm on Sun, Nov 11, 2012.
It's heartening to see that the majority of opinion is in favor of strict laws govening the use of cell phones in cars.
I also know that people like Arizona Willie directly contribute to the banal "Couldn't give a Sh-t !" attitude that we encounter daily on our roads. If Arizonans were subject to European traffic laws, overnight you'd see a great many drivers lose there licence and the roads return to the Edwardian era with very little traffic volume.
bobunf posted at 3:39 pm on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
Communication from inside the vehicle is convenient for passengers.
I think the best approach is to convince people that cell phone use while driving, especially texting, is really dangerous, socially unacceptable and crazy.
Start with telling people you call you while they are driving: "GET OFF THE PHONE YOU NUT." And, I know it's hard, but just don't answer the phone when you're driving.
Making these things illegal is helpful because many people really do follow the law. But draconian penalties are ineffective, unnecessary and have a disgusting appeal to sadists.
JNelson posted at 2:09 pm on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
If it is possible, why not require that vehicles block electronic communications from inside it except for emergency numbers?
Arizona Willie posted at 12:20 pm on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
VofReason, unions were indeed an oversight -- they are in the same category as corporations.
No organizations should be allowed to make political contributions.
We get to vote for Congress people -- but that only decides who gets to take the bribes.
ALL Congressmen have to constantly solicit for money for their next campaign.
Most of them have employees whose ONLY job is raising money.
**********
As for the cameras peeking into cars for texters -- I believe the politician who put that idea forward would get castrated.
Every female in the country would be after their hide and half the males too.
I think that automakers should have to put in a device that prevents ANY cell traffic while the vehicle is in motion --- including the built in Bluetooth phones etc.etc.
Fix it so they have to pull over and stop if they want to use the phone that is surgically attached to their ear or even the voice activated one built into the car.
Anyone caught using a cell phone in an accident should be charged with attempted manslaughter because they were so anxious to use the phone they were willing to take a chance on killing someone, even themselves.
Some might think that is an extreme position -- I don't care -- that's what I think. :)
The world ran just fine before cell phones and would be much better off without them now. :(
VofReason posted at 11:44 am on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
Not surprisingly AZ Willie forgot to mention the contributions of Unions. I am sure it was only an oversight. To the issue at hand, someone had put an editorial up sometime ago that suggested putting cameras up that would take pictures into cars and look for people texting. Seems like a good idea and one that wouldn't bring the wrath that the speed cameras had. Who could argue that identifying and punitively fines for texting and driving would be a bad idea?
bubba posted at 9:59 am on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
Arizona Willie ...Very well put! "Follow the money."
Arizona Willie posted at 8:25 am on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
Mr. Coulthard .. you asked " Why should we have to accept that people will continue to be killed, maimed and injured by those drivers who simply feel it is imperative to be constantly texting and driving. "
Because in this Corporatocracy called the U.S.A. --- PROFITS are the ONLY thing that counts.
People can be replaced.
Got lots of 'em.
Swarming all over the place.
Many companies are making very very nice profits from cell phones and driving.
Ambulance companies
Towing companies
Auto repair shops
Hospitals
Funeral homes
All these businesses are making good profits because of people who text and drive.
Profit uber alles!!
The motto of Corporate America.
We call America a Democracy but it ceased to be one in reality when they invented lobbiests and they weren't outlawed.
EVERY ONE of our Congressmen is owned body and soul by corporations who provide their campaign contributions.
In the election we just survived, billions of dollars were spent on behalf of various candidates --- 90% came from corporate donors or super wealthy individuals.
Can you imagine what a Presidential Election year would look like if all corporate money was banned and there were no PAC's allowed and candidates had to raise money ONLY from individuals and there was a maximum individual contribution of $500?
chatmandu002 posted at 8:08 am on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
Outlaw handheld electronic devices while driving and make the fine, points and/or prison the same a drunk driving. If there is an accident and it's proven in court add double to fine and time in prison for the accident.