Will PA ban hand-held devices while driving? (Progress: crimes, how much)

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by ossewa

A ban on handheld devices only addresses a symptom of America's generally poor driving, rather than the root cause. It is too easy to get and then maintain an operator's license.
While very courteous when compared to East coast drivers, Pittsburghers regularly fail one the most fundamental rules of the road. When you see and hear a siren, you are to immediately pull over to the curb and wait for the police/ambulance/fire vehicle to pass. Next time you hear a siren while out driving, marvel at the huge numbers of drivers who completely ignore this.

Disagree, we're so old, WE CAN'T HEAR IT A'NAT.

[MeinGlanzendMotorrad]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Almost got t-boned by a jerk texting, ban all cell phone use, IMHO.

Got hit by six women drivers, ban women from driving.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by MeinGlanzendMotorrad

Got hit by six women drivers, ban women from driving.

My guess is they were all packing a Glock.

[MeinGlanzendMotorrad]

Originally Posted by Copanut

My guess is they were all packing a Glock.

I doubt it. Most people who carry have better situational awareness than to hit bright red cars.

[BrianTH]

I'm going to go with ex-girlfriends.

Anyway, I agree it would be tough to enforce, but sometimes laws like this are at least a bit self-enforcing. I do agree about talking, however (the talking itself, and not holding the device, is the real problem).

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

I think a ban needs to exist. I've seen too many incidents where people on phones have nearly caused accidents. I know I can't safely talk and drive so I don't do it. Unfortunately I do not trust the general public to use good judgment and practice common sense.

We already mandate every other aspect of driving (seatbelts, inspections, headlights when it is raining, etc...). Not sure how this law would be any more intrusive.

[Tinare]

I just don't understand the NEED to be on the phone while driving. I guess that's where it starts for me. From the invention of the automobile in the early part of the last century to, what about, 1995ish, most people managed to get from point A to point B without either making or receiving a phone call or sending a text message. I would guess that about 95% of the conversations that people are having while driving and, given the nature of the form of communication, 100% of texts, are not of an emergency nature and likely could wait until the ride is over. You are driving a car. Just drive the car. You don't get extra points for your ability to multi-task.

'Course, I'm an old fart who tries NOT to be accessible 100% of the time.

[Aqua Teen Carl]

Can you imagine if you were driving in your car with your dad in the 70's then he just pulled out a typewriter and started typing away? That would be pretty bad ass.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Tinare

'Course, I'm an old fart who tries NOT to be accessible 100% of the time.

Likewise, I'm not that important, I miss the days when you could leave the office and not be reached.

[gg]

PA will ban it as they should. It is amazingly dangerous. Just taking your eyes off the road for a second can be super dangerous, especially on crowded highways that things can happen in split seconds. It will be banned soon and I hope it passes fast. People will still text and so-on, but there will be tickets given out as well.