Archives for 2009

‘Cellphone Madness’: Dumb but fun

These college kids from Toronto are clever enough to make this video but dumb enough to think cell phone driving laws don't work. Pretty funny, though. (Hat tip to reader James for finding this.) … [Read more...]

Colorado, N. Carolina texting bans in effect

Texting while driving is illegal in Colorado and North Carolina, as of now. The North Carolina ban prohibits all drivers from text messaging and emailing. The law calls for a $100 fine plus court costs, but no points for the infractions. The legislation was signed by Gov. Bev Perdue in mid-June. About two-thirds of North Carolina adults reportedly approve of bans on use of cell phones while driving, but legislation outlawing motorists' use of handheld cell phones was put on hold in 2009 after a poor reception in the Commerce Committee. Violations by school bus drivers will be treated as … [Read more...]

AMA’s Rx: No handheld devices for drivers

The American Medical Association -- already on record against text messaging while driving -- has endorsed laws that ban all forms of handheld devices for those behind the wheel. Members called the use of handheld devices such as cell phones and texting devices "a very serious public health problem." "We're very supportive of legislation to deal with this," said AMA board member Dr. Edward Langston. "We want your hands on the steering wheel. "A Harvard study estimates that about one in 20 traffic accidents involve a driver talking on a cell phone. By banning the use of handheld devices … [Read more...]

Fla. no longer distracted on texting, driving

Florida, one of the stumblebum states when it comes to distracted driving laws, finally appears to be waking up to the dangers of cell phoning and text messaging behind the wheel. Republican Gov. Charlie Crist signaled the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to get behind legislation that would rein in drivers' texting and mobile phone chatting. “I think it would provide some safety for our people,” Crist told highway department chief Julie Jones, in a classic of understatement (according to the News Service of Florida). The Legislature rejected or ignored all 2009 bills that … [Read more...]

S.C. proposal: text & drive, go to prison

The nation's toughest sanctions against driving and text messaging have been proposed in South Carolina. House Bill 4189 calls for fines of up to $2,500, two months in jail and a driver's license suspension. And that's for the first offense. A driver who kills someone while text messaging is looking at 25 years in prison. The legislation would also allow law officers to seize and inspect a driver's cell phone to if he or she was texting while driving when they were stopped. That provision, no doubt, would face opposition from civil liberties advocates. Rep. Don Bowen, R-Anderson, on … [Read more...]