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I had to almost use 2 feet to slam on my brakes when a pick up truck turned left in front of
me when I was going straight at a green light...I stopped about 2-3 feet before hitting him.
(Sounds far, but at 25-30 mph...it was really a close call.)
He was looking down at the seat picking up his phone...or looking at it to see who was calling...
left hand on the wheel.
He never had any idea what just happened...bec there was NO time to even hit the horn.
I was quite shaken up for awhile, whew!
I'm thinking 3 days in county jail for the first offense. 1 year for a second offense would cure this idiocy.
I know people think the is a BS thread but i agree with you. 3 days mandatory lock up would be a good start but i'm not sure it would really stop people. In todays world you need to hit people where it hurts and thet's in the wallet. $500 first offense, $1500 second should do it.
For the record I'd rather be on the road with a drunk than someone texting any day. At least the drunk is paying attention.
I know people think the is a BS thread but i agree with you. 3 days mandatory lock up would be a good start but i'm not sure it would really stop people. In todays world you need to hit people where it hurts and thet's in the wallet. $500 first offense, $1500 second should do it.
For the record I'd rather be on the road with a drunk than someone texting any day. At least the drunk is paying attention.
Exactly! Just put them in the slammer for 1-3 days for the first offense. No rise in insurance or nothing on their driving record. Give them a chance to learn their lesson without it costing them huge money.
If they do it again? Well then throw the book at them. I know if it was me? And I sat in county for 3 days for doing something stupid like texting and driving? I would shut the thing off before I start the car for the rest of my life.
Meh. No jail time, more like community service in jails or somewhere unpleasant like a slaughterhouse where the offender has something to do with their hands cuz if they're texting and driving, they usually end up in an accident anyway.
I don't agree with jail time.
You can simply do a big $500 fine and a one day impound. That will hurt financially and inconvenience the offender. Hurt them in the wallet.
What I often see is that people will pick up their phone when stopped at a red light. They will read or text. The light will change to green and they sit there looking at their phone. Recently, I saw this happen on a major highway. When the light changed, 2 semis continued to sit side by side. People honked and they moved. As I finally passed each truck, both drivers were texting as they slowly geared up. It would be easy to catch these folks by just monitoring the major intersections that have longer waits at red lights.
Ok.. But let's add talking to passengers, yelling at the kids in the back seat, reading billboards along the side of the road, eating, searching the glove box, reading a map, programming a GPS, applying makeup, rubbernecking at accidents and daydreaming to the list of things that get the three days.
All the same thing. They all distract drivers.
The thought that texting and only texting is the leading cause of accidents is a steaming pile.
Talk to any police officer and they will tell you the number one cause of accidents is cell phone usage. I think if an accident is caused by a cell phone the penalties should be harsher. Somewhat similar to a hit and run. If no injuries a misdemeanor, if injuries a felony. Not sure about jail time, but I'm sure it would become a factor with the felony.
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