When will the no txt or calling behind the wheel be a law! Hands free calling should be in place a.s.a.p. (Tampa: construction, live)

[kbrkr]

The scary thing is; I have yet to see a police officer driving around WITHOUT talking on their Cell phone!!!

Yikes!!!

[ozlo]

Originally Posted by kbrkr

The scary thing is; I have yet to see a police officer driving around WITHOUT talking on their Cell phone!!!

Yikes!!!

Glad someone else mentioned it. I see this all the time too. When will they pass a law against the police and their reckless driving, tailgating, etc?

I really don't see the need to have more laws on the books. Doesn't texting while driving already fall under the "reckless driving" category? Also, how can it be proven that the said person was indeed texting? I had a friend in another state who looked down at his phone to check the time and was cited under the state's draconian "hands free" phone law. There's so much potential for abuse with these laws. It's common sense -- if you're going to be texting while driving, applying makeup, reading the newspaper, etc. it's more than likely going to affect your driving, which already falls under "reckless driving".

[rezfreak]

handsfree calling is just as distracting as using the phone in your hand.

[bentlebee]

Originally Posted by rezfreak

handsfree calling is just as distracting as using the phone in your hand.

Well at least 2 hands are on the wheel, which is for sure more than 30% more safe than one hand...

[Soup Not See]

Texting while driving is just another result of the "I don't give a sh*t, I'm going to do what I want" attitude that prevails in society these days. People that text while driving KNOW that they could cause an accident and really don't care that they might be holding up someone behind them.

[rangersfan]

I'm a Northerner (from NY) who just moved down here and most of the states up there already have some type of ban on cell phone usage, so the idea that it would affect tourism is ludicrous. I have never seen such ridiculous, unsafe, distracted driving since moving to Tampa, and I have driven the Lincoln Tunnel at rush hour. This needs to be a huge priority to get a law passed - and the first thing that needs to be done is to get the light shining on the cops driving with a cell phone plastered to their ear. This is nuts that this continues in this state.

[Maggi07]

Originally Posted by rangersfan

I'm a Northerner (from NY) who just moved down here and most of the states up there already have some type of ban on cell phone usage, so the idea that it would affect tourism is ludicrous. I have never seen such ridiculous, unsafe, distracted driving since moving to Tampa, and I have driven the Lincoln Tunnel at rush hour. This needs to be a huge priority to get a law passed - and the first thing that needs to be done is to get the light shining on the cops driving with a cell phone plastered to their ear. This is nuts that this continues in this state.

I agree. I've driven Detroit and Chicago regularly, and in Manhattan for the brief period I lived there. Drivers are worse down here, and I do think it is due to distracted driving. I would love to see a law passed.

Just the other day some guy flew by me on 275 and literally nearly clipped my front wheel while he was weaving in and out. He was texting with both hands up at the top of the steering wheel.

[glastron_79]

Nothing like being run off the road into a median by a texting driver. I had my 3-year old daughter with me. You have no idea how much restraint it took to keep myself from following this person and confronting them at the next light.

People just don't get it. When they cause an accident or become the victim of another cell phone gabber/texter while driving, THEN, maybe they'll get it.

[DoctorRain]

Originally Posted by rangersfan

I'm a Northerner (from NY) who just moved down here and most of the states up there already have some type of ban on cell phone usage, so the idea that it would affect tourism is ludicrous. I have never seen such ridiculous, unsafe, distracted driving since moving to Tampa, and I have driven the Lincoln Tunnel at rush hour. This needs to be a huge priority to get a law passed - and the first thing that needs to be done is to get the light shining on the cops driving with a cell phone plastered to their ear. This is nuts that this continues in this state.

Affect tourism.. what?

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by rangersfan

I'm a Northerner (from NY) who just moved down here and most of the states up there already have some type of ban on cell phone usage, so the idea that it would affect tourism is ludicrous. I have never seen such ridiculous, unsafe, distracted driving since moving to Tampa, and I have driven the Lincoln Tunnel at rush hour. This needs to be a huge priority to get a law passed - and the first thing that needs to be done is to get the light shining on the cops driving with a cell phone plastered to their ear. This is nuts that this continues in this state.

No kidding. Have lived all over the country and have never seen so many careless and reckless drivers like there are here.

Just an FYI, many here drive with no car insurance. FL leads the nation in uninsured drivers.

You need to make sure you have full coverage here.

It amazes me how you just walk into a DMV here and they hand you a license, no road test, no written test, no car inspection.....nothing.

Moved from CA to Oregon and had to take a written test and have vehicle inspected, imagine the money and jobs that would be created if FL got on the ball and started inspecting cars.

Not to mention the safety factor.