New "No Texting" Law (Cincinnati, London: wages, legal, moving)

[ZnGuy]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Absolutely. The authorities can subpoena cell phone records to see when the last text went out.

how could they possibly prve that you text when driving. Sure the time of text is posted on record but how can you conclude you were driving +/- 1minute increments. Driver could have pulled to side of road in that time.

[Tubby513]

Yeah, seems very difficult to enforce, but plain and simple, texting while driving is retarded and dangerous. And I won't lie, I do it sometimes, and its moronic. Trying to push little button after little button 26 times to say, "Okay honey I'll stop for milk" is more distracting than anything, including driving home while plastered.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by Cincy Rider

Heard on WLW that the city is adoping a ban on texting while driving. Fine is $100 first offense, $500 per after that. The sound byte from a police representative said it was basically unenforceable since entering phone numbers and programming GPS is still allowed. Good job Cincinnati, guess there's nothing more important going on to waste time on.

Ohio doesn't have a law against no texting while driving yet? You've got to be kidding.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by ZnGuy

how could they possibly prve that you text when driving. Sure the time of text is posted on record but how can you conclude you were driving +/- 1minute increments. Driver could have pulled to side of road in that time.

The local news here reported that most of the time a texter will be holding the phone up high so they can kind of drive and kind of text at the same time. Which I have actually seen somebody doing that before on the interstate. Really a bad idea people....

[Cincy Rider]

Yes it's a waste of time, money, and the paper it will be written on. That's why I'm "attacking the city" lol.

Texting while driving is stupid but you can't prove it even with the phone records.

The City has much bigger problems that need to be dealt with like, well the city is broke, for one.

[Hartwell Girl]

Originally Posted by Cincy Rider

The City has much bigger problems that need to be dealt with like, well the city is broke, for one.

that doesnt mean we get to ignore other issues because the City cant balance a budget or stop wasting money....this is about safety, not economics.

[Wilson513]

When you go to court and plead not guilty, they roll your case to a Muni Ct. judge. It goes on a calendar and you get a trial date. The policeman comes and says: "I observed the defendant while driving his car and he was looking down into his hand and appeared to be texting. When I stopped him, he admitterd that he had a texting device on his person. When I asked him if he was texting while driving, he refused to answer and said I could try to prove it in court."

Judge: "Mr. Smith, to you have anything to say?"

Now, at this point you are at a crossroad. Do you lie and commit perjury before a judge (3-5 years in the pen) and say you weren't texting? Once you start talking, all of the stops are pulled out. they can ask you anything and you have to answer. People that are good at lying have trouble once this starts.

Or, do you say, "I move for a judgment of acquittal" and see if the judge will let you off without your statement?

Here's my experience on this. Even if you are 100% right and they do almost nothing to support the cop's position, you are getting convicted. If you are guilty, mutiply the likihood of conviction by 10.

[cincylifer]

I applaud the law. I know it probably wont be enforced, but I still think its a good idea. Studies/simulations have been done which show that texting is more dangerous than drinking and driving. I never text while I am in the car. I think its absurd that folks have to text and drive. Really?? Must we be connected at all times? A lot of times folks are on facebook, commenting on something totally inane and worthless. This is dumbing down the younger generation, and dont let me get started on the lack of communication skills..but I digress...I applaud any law that makes it illegal to text or talk on the phone while driving.

[Crew Chief]

I don't EVER see myself texting. And, yes, I've seen some stupid stunts pulled by texters while behind the wheel. But, as maddening as it is, I see a real problem of the larger issues of revenue enhancement and the slippery slope of banning/fining other acts behind the wheel. So, in this case, I'm for enforcing existing "distracted driving" laws and quit singling out just one of many distractions behind the wheel. If you are texting and driving safely, that's not a problem. If a cop sees you driving unsafely while texting, then you should get a ticket for distracted driving. IF you cause a crash while texting and they subpoena your phone records and determine that you were texting just prior to the crash, appropriate charges should be filed. Just my humble opinion.

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by InLondon

Ohio doesn't have a law against no texting while driving yet? You've got to be kidding.

The city of Cincinnati does. It was passed last week