Put it down and drive.... (Decatur: 2015, cost of, dangerous)

[CCATL]

When I'm biking in Midtown, no joke, at least 8 out of every 10 drivers are staring at their phones. It's really terrifying. Since I'm on a bike, it is much easier to see what they are doing, and the majority are either texting or on facebook, not paying any attention to what is happening around them. This isn't only stopped at red lights, either. One time I called a woman out on it because she almost hit me and another car, and she had the nerve to yell at me and flip me off, and then proceed forward still staring at whatever email she was typing.

I am 100% on board with this bill. Nobody should be holding a cellphone in their hands while they are driving. There is absolutely no reason to. I don't care if you can't afford bluetooth, having bluetooth is not a right (and really, studies have shown just the act of talking, whether on bluetooth or not, also increases the risk of an accident). Just don't use your phone while you're driving, it can wait. Lives are more important.

[PKCorey]

It won't stand a chance.

If it does pass, I hope, they aren't as annoying as MD, NY and NJ with enforcement.

[bigup]

I can text and check Facebook all I want on the bus in the morning. Never hit anyone doing it either.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by CCATL

When I'm biking in Midtown, no joke, at least 8 out of every 10 drivers are staring at their phones. It's really terrifying. Since I'm on a bike, it is much easier to see what they are doing, and the majority are either texting or on facebook, not paying any attention to what is happening around them. This isn't only stopped at red lights, either. One time I called a woman out on it because she almost hit me and another car, and she had the nerve to yell at me and flip me off, and then proceed forward still staring at whatever email she was typing.

I am 100% on board with this bill. Nobody should be holding a cellphone in their hands while they are driving. There is absolutely no reason to. I don't care if you can't afford bluetooth, having bluetooth is not a right (and really, studies have shown just the act of talking, whether on bluetooth or not, also increases the risk of an accident). Just don't use your phone while you're driving, it can wait. Lives are more important.

Those 8 out of 10 could already ticketed under the existing law, right? Why do we need a new law when we don't enforce the one we've got?

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by primaltech

But cell phones all have speakerphones. If you have a mobile phone (which is typically a smart phone now), then you have hands free options.

From my experience, a canary could fart louder than the speaker on my iPhone 5. I couldn't even use it as a GPS because it was inaudible. I'm not excusing people using them while driving. I did every now and then, but usually tried to use the bluetooth in the car. Pretty much never text while driving.

[DJDeadParrot]

Originally Posted by red92s

Those 8 out of 10 could already ticketed under the existing law, right?

As stated earlier, the existing law only covers texting. Just because one is holding their phone [not illegal, right now] doesn't mean they are texting.

If anything, the proposed bill would eliminate that grey area.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by red92s

Those 8 out of 10 could already ticketed under the existing law, right? Why do we need a new law when we don't enforce the one we've got?

It's easier to enforce an "all or nothing" law than a "texting only" law.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Gulch

It's easier to enforce an "all or nothing" law than a "texting only" law.

Good point, Gulch.

The penalty should be mandatory suspension of drivers license for 5 years on the first offense. This should apply to LE personnel and politicians as well.

There's no reason to be messing with a cell phone while operating a vehicle.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Good point, Gulch.

The penalty should be mandatory suspension of drivers license for 5 years on the first offense. This should apply to LE personnel and politicians as well.

There's no reason to be messing with a cell phone while operating a vehicle.

I love the harshness of your bill.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Good point, Gulch.

The penalty should be mandatory suspension of drivers license for 5 years on the first offense. This should apply to LE personnel and politicians as well.

There's no reason to be messing with a cell phone while operating a vehicle.

Suck it, Uber drivers. How you going to be part of the sharing economy if touching your phone results in a loss of your license . . .