Comments on: Florida: Cell phone laws, legislation

By: Evleyn Silva

Evleyn Silva — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:03:48 +0000

How many people need to die before Legislation passes the Distraction Laws? I was in an accident in January, 2012 and the person was on the her cell phone. Since it was a rear end accident, she was not charged or held responsible for her actions!

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:54:58 +0000

I have reached my limit with these dangerous texters. I know people that do it and have witnessed countless close calls on the road, which has impressed me that there really are defensive drivers out there. I have a friend who launched a no texting application for mobile devices (you can visit them at phonegueard.com) I found out from them that you are 6 times mor likely to get in an accident texting and driving than drunk driving. but I have come up with an idea. Why not make texting and driving a DUI of technology, and make cell phones a privilege and not a right and and simply suspend the use from their provider, then 3 strikes their out not allowed to have a cell phone.

By: michael boyle

michael boyle — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:49:57 +0000

The USA with all it’s modern advances is still a yahoo wild west show. Everyone hollers about my freedom and nanny state, Well what about my freedom to drive, walk, bicycle down the road and not get run over by someone texting lol, omg or other really important crap. I was driving through Atlanta on a wet slick downhill road at rush hour traffic moving 75-80 +mph there was some woman behind me in a mini van about six feet off my bumper texting away, call me paranoid I slowed down flashers on until this crazy woman switched lanes and terrorized some other soul.

By: Ted M.

Ted M. — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:26:16 +0000

A quick comment on the previous posters note. The oft heard phrase “… attempt to take away our rights” is overused and not appropriate in this discourse because:

1. No one it taking away your rights to use any of these portable devices. Pull off the road or get your messages at the next convenient stop. The currently permitted use of hand held devices is a priviledge not a right (BIG difference).

2. In this more and more self-centric country we live in, much argument has its roots in the perspective of “what’s in it for ME” vs “what would be best for greater good”.

3. I would ask anyone who uses the previous poster’s assertions to answer how they would respond to the next victim’s family when asked “Was my son/daughter/wife/husband’s RIGHT to live less important than your PRIVILEDGE to text or chat on a hand held cell while driving?”

4. Statistics often drive what acts/behaviors need to be addressed through legislation. If someone can show me that glancing at the speedometer or punching a button on the radio is statistically as bad as the text/cell issue, then I concede – rather than go back to horse and buggy, we’ll just let the insurance industry continue to jack their rates to cover this casualty. I’ll leave the numbers jousting to the professionals who track this stuff!

Bob, I am in complete agreement with you about the never ending growth of legislation that is strangling this country and I don’t want any more laws added UNNECESSARILY to the books. But, when a priviledge (not a RIGHT) is abused to the extent that statistically the public is endangered (e.g. DUI), you’ve got to ask “shouldn’t there be a law against this?” Sorry if anything I wrote offends anyone – I just see this lousy texting/cell behavior every day along with the accidents and near accidents that result. Peace.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:04:19 +0000

This is just another attempt to take away our rights. You’re just going to be pulled over for looking down for a second and that’s good enough. Maybe we should ban radio’s because changing the station distracts you or maybe the music!?

By: Mark Heitov

Mark Heitov — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:40:48 +0000

I too agree we are a society plagued with government overeach, but if drunk driving is considered a threat and we see so many public service announcements on it or the watch twice for motorcyclist announcements, and yet these bozos in our legislature can’t see the true threat to public safety texting while driving presents, then they prove they are there for their own interests and could give a rat’s ass when it comes to truly having the citizens they supposedly represent’s interests in mind. I guess it would only take a bunch more like Rep. Slosberg’s daughter’s tragedy to shake these neanderthals out of their stupors!

By: James

James — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:30:24 +0000

Florida has become such a pussified state, we need to stop worrying about what others think and do it already. Over 80 percent of the fatal accidents in this state are caused by distracted driving. Its time people start using their head and think before you put yourself or someone else in danger. You are driving a vehicle that can be difficult to stop on a dime.

By: enzo

enzo — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:45:45 +0000

I don’t think that everyone should get punished for other ppl stupidity if all ppl lose the rights I think police and emergency transportation should also lose there rights too they are also the ones driving at an excessive speed just because they have a badge or are medical there still drivers, like the rest off us too they take our rights lets make it equal too works on everyone no favorites laws are made to be fallow not to be broken I have seen our own law enforcement breaking the same laws that we have to obey

By: JDavison

JDavison — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:03:33 +0000

I can understand some kind of law if someone is texting and maybe even talking on a handheld device. The bluetooth device is a good plan as well as systems that are in cars that allow communication. However, if the law that bans cell phone use completely is passed, it would be a big mistake. The main concern of this issue seems to be a distraction for the driver. I happen to know of a couple of instances when a driver was changing the dial on the radio and hit people walking across the street killing them both. Will this law include that you cannot adjust your radio? Will this law require that a driver cannot have a discussion with other passengers in the car? People have discussions, confront their children’s behaviors in the back seat while driving and these actions cause accidents as well. Again banning texting while driving I understand but putting a total ban on cell phone use doesn’t make any sense.

By: Terry F

Terry F — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:19:32 +0000

I don’t understand why our Florida legislators are so blind to passing serious anti-texting laws. The attitude they have been taking shows no common sense whatsoever.
I am almost surprised they have not legalized driving while under the influence. There are numerous studies determining that people driving barely over the legal alcohol limit are probably safer drivers than those texting and driving. What is wrong with this picture?