It's funny. All along the Thruway there are rest areas with McDonalds drive throughs. And the state makes money on these through leases to the proprietor.
So its OK to be cruising at 70 MPH with a Big Mac in my hand, but not OK to be talking on my phone at 35 MPH.
Granted, this is a picayune scenario. I just believe that talking on my phone while driving is no more distracting than changing the radio station, smoking a cigarette, or talking to a passenger. Or eating that Big Mac.
Texting is a different story. Anyone who does is an idiot, putting their own life in danger as well as others on the road. Unfortunately, this is much more difficult to enforce as the phone is not in plain view.
Sure why not.... as soon as local law enforcement stop talking on theirs while driving around town... I think there should be more improvements to hands free operation then, bulking up the fines... and i agree that texting is extremely dangerous..
While we are at it, lets add a law that states it is illegal to try and pick up the fry that fell on the floor, then we can add the law that says it is illegal to reach for a napkin after you inadvertantly dripped coffee on your shirt, then we can add the law that it is illegal to read your thruway ticket to determine the toll and that the fine is doubled if you proceed to go through your ashtray to extract the proper change. Then we can add the law that it is illegal to momentarily turn around and sternly tell your children that you will "pull this car over and give you both a spanking if you don't knock it off!".
There was a minor three-car property damage accident in the city a couple of weeks ago. Later that evening, I happened to chat with one of the police officers who responded. According to the officer, a mother was disciplining her children in the back seat when she rear ended another car, which then struck another car.
I wholeheartedly agree with Jeff. The law is to prevent the distraction. If that's the case, there shouldn't be passengers allowed inside a vehicle, especially children! And forget about animals. How many times do I drive down the road and see a little pooch sitting on the drivers lap with his paws on the steering wheel or hanging out a window. Take the radio's out of the vehicles next. Don't try to change a cd or the station. Oh my, the list goes one and on and on.
I think there should be a device that would be installed in vehicles that would block cell phone usage. What did everyone do before cell phones?????? My opinion.
This is not to condone cell phone use while driving,but I remember back in the late 70's CB radio's being all the rage. It seemed that "everyone" had one in their vehicles. I really don't recall hearing of any CB radio related accidents.
Jamie,
First, any such device would be very expensive, are you going to pick up the cost? I work in electronics and in the past with radar. To do what you want is essentially a jammer. Not cheap.
Second, why do you think its ok to restrict peoples behavior? Most people don't have an issue managing their phone while they drive.
Third, on my honeymoon I used my phone to book hotel rooms while my wife drove. It was very convenient. Once I even used it to tether to her laptop and used that. Your device would stop passengers from using their devices.
Fourth, the same device would interfere with people just outside your car (or theirs, or anyone elses). So imagine you get in an accident on a highway. Someone stops to help and calls 911. Others do not and they pass the person on the phone. This causes them to drop their call over and over. Meanwhile you bleed out because the Samaritan couldn't tell the 911 operator your location in time to save you.
The issue is not the cell phone or beer or eyeliner or whatever else is consuming part of the driver's attention. The issue is attitude. At some point between the invention of the automobile and the installation of video monitors in automobiles, the car ceased being a transportation modality and became a fashion accessory.
Along with that transition were lost: common sense, safety concern, responsible behavior and respect for others on the road.
For every hundred good drivers there is one clueless individual who presumes he/she (and passengers) exists in a magic bubble and every other vehicle in four directions, mere obstacle to his/her forward progress.
I've heard this described as a generational thing; I don't buy it. The litmus test for this condition boils down to one's answer to- Is driving a right or privilege? Rescinding the licenses of a privileged few might restore proper perspective.
For clarification, there is an exemption in the cell phone law for law enforcement, fire, and EMS, to use the phone IF it is for official business. Also, private citizens in an emergency situation.
Who is to say whether the officer you see is chatting with his girlfriend or coordinating a major bust? We can never know.
Before you jump on me, I'm not stating an opinion as to whether this exemption is right or wrong, good or bad. Simply giving out the info.
3. Subdivision two of this section shall not apply to (a) the use of a mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company or corps; a fire department, district or company; or a police department,
(b) any of the following persons while in the performance of their official duties: a police officer or peace officer; a member of a fire department, district or company; or the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section one hundred one of this chapter, or
Bob, you took the words right out of my mouth, as I was just about to post the exact same content from NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law. Bottom line, like it or not, emergency vehicles (police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, volunteer fire chief's vehicles) are exempt from the law, as long as they are conducting official business.
Radios are good for transmitting non-sensitive information, however anyone who is listening in "scanner-land" can hear what is being discussed. For that very reason, numerous pieces of information within the emergency services realm are communicated either via MDT or landline communications. Would you want a dispatcher telling an ambulance crew where to find the key to your house that you have hidden in the event of an emergency over the radio, so that anyone with a scanner can now know that same information?
I'm not in agreement or disagreement with the exemption, I simply understand the need to conduct sensitive communications via phone call as opposed to radio transmission.
It's part of society now,unfortunately.Look at all the new cars w/ in-dash navigation,Chevy now has new cars you get Facebook updates on by pressing a button.Next it will be computers.....it's amazing the stuff you see people do when you drive tractor trailer and have a bird's eye view of other vehicles......I keep reminding my son when he's driving not to do anything w/ the phone-PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD!!!!! Let them enforce laws that they have-if they did that,it would cut down on alot of stupid driving habits.
I just want to know if it is distracted driving when a person has an animal on thier laps. I have a neighbor that keeps her tiny dog in her shirt while she drive then tells me I am distracted when I use my phone. It seems a yaping dog in your face is worst then talking, Texting is a different story cause you have to look at the keyboard.
The present law will work
The present law will work just fine if it is enforced.
It's funny. All along the
It's funny. All along the Thruway there are rest areas with McDonalds drive throughs. And the state makes money on these through leases to the proprietor.
So its OK to be cruising at 70 MPH with a Big Mac in my hand, but not OK to be talking on my phone at 35 MPH.
Granted, this is a picayune scenario. I just believe that talking on my phone while driving is no more distracting than changing the radio station, smoking a cigarette, or talking to a passenger. Or eating that Big Mac.
Texting is a different story. Anyone who does is an idiot, putting their own life in danger as well as others on the road. Unfortunately, this is much more difficult to enforce as the phone is not in plain view.
Sure why not.... as soon as
Sure why not.... as soon as local law enforcement stop talking on theirs while driving around town... I think there should be more improvements to hands free operation then, bulking up the fines... and i agree that texting is extremely dangerous..
Robert you hit it right on
Robert you hit it right on the head.
I correction to some of the
I correction to some of the posts. Its not illegal to talk on your phone, its illegal to hold your phone.
Robert, Jeremiah - I agree!
Robert, Jeremiah - I agree!
While we are at it, lets add
While we are at it, lets add a law that states it is illegal to try and pick up the fry that fell on the floor, then we can add the law that says it is illegal to reach for a napkin after you inadvertantly dripped coffee on your shirt, then we can add the law that it is illegal to read your thruway ticket to determine the toll and that the fine is doubled if you proceed to go through your ashtray to extract the proper change. Then we can add the law that it is illegal to momentarily turn around and sternly tell your children that you will "pull this car over and give you both a spanking if you don't knock it off!".
There was a minor three-car
There was a minor three-car property damage accident in the city a couple of weeks ago. Later that evening, I happened to chat with one of the police officers who responded. According to the officer, a mother was disciplining her children in the back seat when she rear ended another car, which then struck another car.
Talking on your cellphone
Talking on your cellphone while driving equals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iApz08Bh53w
and you know it.
I wholeheartedly agree with
I wholeheartedly agree with Jeff. The law is to prevent the distraction. If that's the case, there shouldn't be passengers allowed inside a vehicle, especially children! And forget about animals. How many times do I drive down the road and see a little pooch sitting on the drivers lap with his paws on the steering wheel or hanging out a window. Take the radio's out of the vehicles next. Don't try to change a cd or the station. Oh my, the list goes one and on and on.
I think there should be a
I think there should be a device that would be installed in vehicles that would block cell phone usage. What did everyone do before cell phones?????? My opinion.
This is not to condone cell
This is not to condone cell phone use while driving,but I remember back in the late 70's CB radio's being all the rage. It seemed that "everyone" had one in their vehicles. I really don't recall hearing of any CB radio related accidents.
Jamie, First, any such device
Jamie,
First, any such device would be very expensive, are you going to pick up the cost? I work in electronics and in the past with radar. To do what you want is essentially a jammer. Not cheap.
Second, why do you think its ok to restrict peoples behavior? Most people don't have an issue managing their phone while they drive.
Third, on my honeymoon I used my phone to book hotel rooms while my wife drove. It was very convenient. Once I even used it to tether to her laptop and used that. Your device would stop passengers from using their devices.
Fourth, the same device would interfere with people just outside your car (or theirs, or anyone elses). So imagine you get in an accident on a highway. Someone stops to help and calls 911. Others do not and they pass the person on the phone. This causes them to drop their call over and over. Meanwhile you bleed out because the Samaritan couldn't tell the 911 operator your location in time to save you.
The issue is not the cell
The issue is not the cell phone or beer or eyeliner or whatever else is consuming part of the driver's attention. The issue is attitude. At some point between the invention of the automobile and the installation of video monitors in automobiles, the car ceased being a transportation modality and became a fashion accessory.
Along with that transition were lost: common sense, safety concern, responsible behavior and respect for others on the road.
For every hundred good drivers there is one clueless individual who presumes he/she (and passengers) exists in a magic bubble and every other vehicle in four directions, mere obstacle to his/her forward progress.
I've heard this described as a generational thing; I don't buy it. The litmus test for this condition boils down to one's answer to- Is driving a right or privilege? Rescinding the licenses of a privileged few might restore proper perspective.
For clarification, there is
For clarification, there is an exemption in the cell phone law for law enforcement, fire, and EMS, to use the phone IF it is for official business. Also, private citizens in an emergency situation.
Who is to say whether the officer you see is chatting with his girlfriend or coordinating a major bust? We can never know.
Before you jump on me, I'm not stating an opinion as to whether this exemption is right or wrong, good or bad. Simply giving out the info.
3. Subdivision two of this section shall not apply to (a) the use of a mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company or corps; a fire department, district or company; or a police department,
(b) any of the following persons while in the performance of their official duties: a police officer or peace officer; a member of a fire department, district or company; or the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section one hundred one of this chapter, or
(c) the use of a hands-free mobile telephone.
Bob, you took the words right
Bob, you took the words right out of my mouth, as I was just about to post the exact same content from NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law. Bottom line, like it or not, emergency vehicles (police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, volunteer fire chief's vehicles) are exempt from the law, as long as they are conducting official business.
official business? isnt that
official business? isnt that what their radios are for? tax dollars hard at work.
Radios are good for
Radios are good for transmitting non-sensitive information, however anyone who is listening in "scanner-land" can hear what is being discussed. For that very reason, numerous pieces of information within the emergency services realm are communicated either via MDT or landline communications. Would you want a dispatcher telling an ambulance crew where to find the key to your house that you have hidden in the event of an emergency over the radio, so that anyone with a scanner can now know that same information?
I'm not in agreement or disagreement with the exemption, I simply understand the need to conduct sensitive communications via phone call as opposed to radio transmission.
It's part of society
It's part of society now,unfortunately.Look at all the new cars w/ in-dash navigation,Chevy now has new cars you get Facebook updates on by pressing a button.Next it will be computers.....it's amazing the stuff you see people do when you drive tractor trailer and have a bird's eye view of other vehicles......I keep reminding my son when he's driving not to do anything w/ the phone-PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD!!!!! Let them enforce laws that they have-if they did that,it would cut down on alot of stupid driving habits.
I just want to know if it is
I just want to know if it is distracted driving when a person has an animal on thier laps. I have a neighbor that keeps her tiny dog in her shirt while she drive then tells me I am distracted when I use my phone. It seems a yaping dog in your face is worst then talking, Texting is a different story cause you have to look at the keyboard.
Ditto.
Ditto.