Al Cinamon is a frequent commenter on this web site. He maintains that our current crop of traffic laws is phony. They actually encourage distracted driving, he says. Now Cinamon has published his opinions in the book "What You Don't Know About Driving Can Get You Killed!" Cinamon, a driving instructor for more than 50 years, says the book targets "fables and fairy tales." The book is an exposé divided into two parts: Part 1 deals with "phony traffic laws that can get you killed" and Part 2 reveals "bad driving habits that can get you killed." In Part 1, he attacks the cell-phone and … [Read more...]
N.J. plan for roadside ‘textalyzer’ tests
May 31, 2016 by 1 Comment
A New Jersey lawmaker says police should be able to use "textalyzers" to test the cell phones of drivers involved in serious crashes. The distracted driving legislation from state Sen. Richard Codey is similar to a bill recently introduced in New York, to significant publicity. New Jersey drivers who refuse to hand over their cell phones would be subject to penalties in procedures similar to those used on suspected drunken drivers who refuse to have their breath tested. "Policymakers and road-safety experts are reaching back to tried-and-tested strategies to treat distracted driving … [Read more...]
Ad firm tries to bury distracted driving
May 12, 2016 by 1 Comment
A new low in advertising? Never say never, but that Toronto billboard encouraging motorists to drive distracted is in fact a public-safety message. "Text and drive," the stark billboard urges in all grim all-caps. Courtesy of "Wathan Funeral Home." Those seeking to do business with the funeral home will be disappointed. The mortuary doesn't exist. It does have a web site, however. Here's what it says: If you're here, you've probably seen our "Text and Drive" billboard. And if you have, you probably came to this website to tell us what horrible people we are for running an ad like … [Read more...]
British Columbia hikes fines, adds points
May 9, 2016 by 1 Comment
British Columbia has more than doubled the fines for distracted drivers, following up on public demands for tougher punishments. The new penalties, which go into effect June 1, will tag first offenders with a base fine of $368. With insurance premium hikes tied to four newly added penalty points, the offense will cost violators $543. (The current fine is $167 with no points.) The total for second offenses within the same year comes to $888, with an automatic license review from motor vehicle officials that could result in probation. Penalty points continue to increase with serial … [Read more...]
Tenn. targets distracted school bus drivers
April 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Tennessee "now has the strongest law in the nation" guarding against distracted school bus drivers. Gov. Bill Haslem on April 28 signed into law an act that cracks down on school bus drivers who text and use cell phones on the job. The legislation came in response to a horrific 2014 crash -- blamed on a texting bus driver -- that left two children and an assistant teacher dead in East Knoxville. The new law permanently bars offenders from driving school buses in Tennessee, and makes them subject to at least 30 days in jail and a minimum $1,000 fine. The law bars use of a variety of … [Read more...]
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