Comments on: Oregon: Cell phone laws, legislation

By: Ash

Ash — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:19:57 +0000

I just got a ticket for this a few days ago.. $110.

By: Kathy Simms

Kathy Simms — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:15:07 +0000

When did we give the US Government the right to take away OUR RIGHTS? Did it start with the helmet law? No smoking ANYWHERE? (I don’t smoke, but did we vote one this??)

How long and how far we will let them pick away our rights one at a time to keep us in their little box? I have a right to vote on such BIG issues that impact my business which has been a mobile business for 23 years in which I have used mobile phone entire time. No tickets, no wrecks.

I pay $1,600.00 per month for phone book ad’s. Each call I miss could be vital to my survivial. Pull over and take the call? I do this when a safe place is available, if not I inform them I am driving, to please call back and leave a message. I have seen many a cars pulled over to take that call and they are in more danger of causing a car wreck then if they drive with their eyes straight ahead while talking on their phone. But for the “few” irresponsible drivers, take away the rights of thousands of people that are responsible? NO….

What about the phone call “get to the hospital your father just had a stroke”? NO-I refuse to accept this law. I will fill my glove box with the tickets as I continue to practice safe driving and my rights.

By: james bond

james bond — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:57:36 +0000

a conversation is a conversation no matter were it occurs, next it will be no talking allowed during driving between passengers and the driver, the liberals constantly need new ways to get our money and control what we do. this is what you get on the way to a socialist marxist state, welcome to america the next soviet union, join the soon to be new slave class, anyone who actually works for a living! every vehicle on the road is a revenue stream that these people need to tap to pay for there ever idiotic ideas .

By: Mahlon M Hunt

Mahlon M Hunt — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:12:24 +0000

The $142 fine is stupid. Not enough to stop it. Should be at least ten times the amount. Most people will pay the $142 and continue to use the phone while driving. The larger fine might give many people to give it a second thought. Or if caught, let them spend a couple days in jail.

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:56:03 +0000

Response! Public safety officers are exempt from the law. Oregon legislators put quite a few loopholes in the law, some of which are being eliminated Jan. 1 (House Bill 3186, above). But public safety workers on the job are free to use cell phones.

By: M'Leesa Quimby

M'Leesa Quimby — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:28:50 +0000

A week ago, Friday, December 2nd, 2011, at 3:10pm, I witnessed a driver using his cell phone, while driving. I commented “Isn’t that against the Law?” His response was “No, it is the Law” and pointed downward, on his driver side door. The van that he was driving was a city van, with the logo “City of Portland / the City that Works / with the contact number”. Below that, the words “Police Bureau”. Also, I noticed he wasn’t wearing a Policeman uniform and did NOT present me with an “OFFICIAL” badge.

For all I know, it could have been a delivery man, returning the vehicle, to the East Precinct. I live in the city of Portland {Oregon} and I am a “part time” city employee. Is there ANYone that could tell me, if a Portland Police is allowed to use a cell phone driving and NOBODY else can? I’ve asked A LOT and yet, … “No RESONSE”!!!

By: Kevin West

Kevin West — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:48:56 +0000

It is unconstitutional to , in any way, abridge the right of Freedom of Speech. Let me remind yall of the Oregon Constitution:

Section 8. Freedom of speech and
press. No law shall be passed restraining the
free expression of opinion, or restricting the
right to speak, write, or print freely on any
subject whatever; but every person shall be
responsible for the abuse of this right.

By telling me I can’t talk, relay information, or communicate while driving is against the constitution. But since the ticket you would get from breaking this law is under 300$ you will not get a trial by jury. So you must OCCUPY THE COURTS with their own stupidity. Make it known that YOU have constitutional rights.

By: Editor

Editor — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:38:24 +0000

yes, police are almost always exempt with distracted driving laws.

By: Police Watching

Police Watching — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:20:11 +0000

I have seen several police officers talking on their phones while driving, are they exempt?

By: Debby

Debby — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:51:06 +0000

I was pulled over on the highway today while in the middle lane using my cruise control and going the precise speed limit. A business call came in (I use my car as my office) so I pushed the botton on my Jabra visor handless device. It did not work, I opened my phone for a second so the Jabra would recognize my connection. Apparently the connection shuts off when the phone leaves the car.

Well, a state trooper saw my cell phone opened (not to my head) I also was not pushing any buttons, and next thing I knew, I was being pulled over. He was going to give me a warning. I thought for what? I had my headset on and the Jabra was not working. I offered to let him check my phone activity to prove that I did not make or recieve a call. Fortunately he did not write me up a warning, but it shook me up. I am a taxpaying law abiding 43 year old business woman and I have never had a ticket, and never broke the law. The stress from being pulled over made it hard for me to focus for the remaining duration of my commute. Where is the line to be drawn? I have two devices, which are more of a distraction.

How about pulling over people drinking coffee, eating, sleepy drivers, agressive drivers, or people with children. I have driven under the effect of those listed above which are way more distracting. The lesson I learned here is never handle a phone period while you are driving.