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Old 05-28-2013, 03:42 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
27,798 posts, read 32,259,488 times
Reputation: 14611

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Its a start......

Rick Scott signs texting-while-driving ban, but does it have teeth? - Florida - MiamiHerald.com
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Old 05-28-2013, 03:43 PM
 
Location: South Florida
5,016 posts, read 7,399,713 times
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I really hope they enforce it.
Too many dangerous drivers.
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Old 05-28-2013, 03:44 PM
 
1,581 posts, read 3,358,414 times
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I think the fine should be higher to help deter it. Yesterday we were on 75 and in the PASSING lane was a young gal texting while passing me. Oh yah that made me feel safe.
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Old 05-28-2013, 03:45 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
27,798 posts, read 32,259,488 times
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seems to me that proving someone is texting is pretty difficult
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Old 05-28-2013, 03:59 PM
 
Location: Tampa
443 posts, read 555,877 times
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Easy - You make it a PRIMARY, not secondary, offense. It's easy to spot people mashing away at their keyboards while driving. Look for anyone who is looking down. Or, if they're "smart" enough to hold their phone up such that it remains at or near eye level, well, that's even easier.

But, the fact that it's only going to be signed in to law as a secondary offense is completely stupid and idiotic. We need to curb rampant stupidity as best we can. I guess you can pull someone over for dangerous driving or swerving and tack on the texting charge, though.
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Old 05-28-2013, 04:06 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
27,798 posts, read 32,259,488 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by craigtnelson View Post
Look for anyone who is looking down.
The law allows you to use portables for other things - so looking down doesn't mean texting.
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Old 05-28-2013, 04:50 PM
 
Location: says MA on my license but can be found wandering the beaches of RI
1,432 posts, read 1,813,328 times
Reputation: 907
Quote:
Originally Posted by nphomeowner View Post
I think the fine should be higher to help deter it. Yesterday we were on 75 and in the PASSING lane was a young gal texting while passing me. Oh yah that made me feel safe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by craigtnelson View Post
Easy - You make it a PRIMARY, not secondary, offense. It's easy to spot people mashing away at their keyboards while driving. Look for anyone who is looking down. Or, if they're "smart" enough to hold their phone up such that it remains at or near eye level, well, that's even easier.

But, the fact that it's only going to be signed in to law as a secondary offense is completely stupid and idiotic. We need to curb rampant stupidity as best we can. I guess you can pull someone over for dangerous driving or swerving and tack on the texting charge, though.
Both good points here. Since the law introduces a gray area of how to prove cell phone usage, on the flip side, could police use a gray area by stopping a driver they initially see using a cell phone under the reason of swerving, driving to endander or some other primary offense?

Also, once this law has had some time out there, it's possible other laws will follow like allowing an ear bud to be used, talking on the phone, etc.. In MA, one ear bud is allowed. In NY, you cannot talk on your cell phone while driving but people get around that by wearing one ear bud...which is allowed. I believe FL allows one ear bud as well.
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Old 05-28-2013, 05:25 PM
 
2,763 posts, read 5,734,466 times
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So here's where i get lost. Its illegal as of may 2nd for police to look at anyone's cell phones without a warrant. This texting law ONLY covers use of texting or instant messaging. Couldnt the person just say they were looking at a map?
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Old 05-28-2013, 05:29 PM
 
Location: Tampa, FL
27,798 posts, read 32,259,488 times
Reputation: 14611
That was my point too
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Old 05-28-2013, 05:35 PM
 
2,729 posts, read 5,180,007 times
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They can do it, if they want to.

Police have basically a million reasons to stop you if they want to since many people don't really follow the rule. It boils down to how much the local PD is motivated to implement it and collect serious bucks. I hope they would do it. Easy money!
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