In 2001, Rhode Island's General Assembly passed Peter Kilmartin’s bill banning handheld cell phones. It was to be one of the first laws in the United States protecting citizens from drivers who were distracted by their cell phones. The governor vetoed the legislation. Almost a decade later, Rhode Island finally sent another governor a distracted driver law, but this one was signed into law on Nov. 10. But the law outlaws reading, writing and sending text messages while behind the wheel -- not the use of cell phones. The sponsor? Rep. Peter Kilmartin, D-Pawtucket. “I realize this is a … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2009
DOT adds ‘distracted flying’ to probe
October 29, 2009 by 1 Comment
"Distracted flying" is now under investigation by the Transportation Department, following news of two Northwest Airline pilots who overshot the Minneapolis airport by 150 miles, apparently while using their using laptop computers. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has widened his department's initiatives to "distractions as they apply beyond cars — to rail, buses, and now, planes," a spokesman told the Associated Press on Oct. 28. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., called the incident “the ultimate case of distracted driving — only this time it was distracted flying.” The two pilots, whose … [Read more...]
Pilots’ screw-up: ‘distracted flying’
October 26, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Ever feel like doing some detailed staff scheduling while cruising along at 500 miles per hour? That's the story du jour from two pilots at Northwest Airlines regarding their infamous 150-mile overshoot of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport the other day. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., called the incident "the ultimate case of distracted driving -- only this time it was distracted flying." Having just days before made that landing at MSP on that very airline -- sitting next to my 16-year-old boy -- I'm rooting for some serious prison time for these clowns (who apparently dressed as pilots for … [Read more...]
Ontario cell phone, texting ban begins
October 26, 2009 by 2 Comments
Ontario's law banning the use of handheld electronic devices by drivers is now in effect. Enforcement of the province-wide ban started Monday, but the fines that could sap violators of $500 (CAN) won't kick in until Feb. 1, 2010. "This law is about keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel," Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said at a news conference in Toronto on Monday. "We need to prevent these unnecessary road accidents and I believe this law will do just that." Drivers may continue to use cell phones if a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth headset is … [Read more...]
Calif. first lady caught on cell phone
October 13, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The state of California's first lady, Maria Shriver, has been photographed violating the handheld cell phone ban that her husband signed into law. The governor promised "swift action." Grounding perhaps? The celebrity gossip web site TMZ posted a photo and video of Shriver yapping while driving at two different times, saying she dropped the cell phone when she realized she was being photographed. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used Twitter to say: "Thanks for bringing her violations to my attention. There's going to be swift action." About the same time, TMZ said it caught Shriver yet again … [Read more...]
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