Public transportation is not good enough for this to work in the US, otherwise I'd agree.
Smartphones Are Killing Americans, But Nobodys Counting
- Thread starter Lonely1
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Public transportation is not good enough for this to work in the US, otherwise I'd agree.
Violence Jack
Member
I had a cousin killed by someone running a red light because they were on their phone. It definitely needs to be treated as DUI with heavy fines.
And some companies are at fault for this as well. A number of places don't care if you were driving when they call or email you. If you don't respond immediately, you could run the risk of losing your job.
And some companies are at fault for this as well. A number of places don't care if you were driving when they call or email you. If you don't respond immediately, you could run the risk of losing your job.
in the UK it became illegal to drive while on the phone in 2003. The punishment is anywhere from a fine to a driving ban.
people obviously still do it but I've noticed it's become a lot more socially unacceptable and you'll definitely see people gesture at other drivers doing it.
this is the stats from 06-16 [pdf]
SoRuffShoNuff
Member
At a time where minorities and lower income people are being pushed out of cities and away from existing public transportation you propose that we make driving really expensive. Yeah, dont want you and your realistic solutions anywhere near public policy.
Make it more expensive at the same time as building great public transit and cycling infra. Yeah don't want your closed-minded one-track-mind solutions anywhere near public policy
RastaMentality
Banned
Seriously. Making licenses really expensive would virtually make them whites only in some cities.
Great public transit isn't coming to major cities within a decade.
SDCowboy
Member
Easy. The officer would log what time it happened, and the text logs would back it up.
SDCowboy
Member
In much, if not most, of the US, it's illegal. Just people don't care.
When it comes to laws for distracted driving, I absolutely think they should be in place. That being said, I feel like I see WAY more people nowadays on their phones while driving, and Ive yet to hear a single person who has been pulled over/ticketed while doing so. I know thats anecdotal and not worth much as a data point, but its just weird to me that I havent heard a single person talk about getting pulled over for it. Are they even enforced? It needs to happen but Im not even sure how they could do it easily. Mandatory do not disturb while driving when in the car? iOS has that now but its opt-in and not exactly difficult to get past.
Simple. Put up cameras. That's already used to picture license plates, clearly it would also be evident if the driver is distracted. The law shouldn't care whether you are reading a book, or texting someone. Just not looking at the traffic.
Works for the rest of the world, don't see why the US got to be a special snowflake.
Sure, if you were texting. That person may have also just been switching songs on their music app or something. Still not excusable at all but certainly much harder to prove.
Unfortunately fines are way too low here in Germany, too. I see people looking at their smartphones while driving literally every day. Often times in expensive vehicles which I'm 100% positive have hands-free. No one cares.
SDCowboy
Member
While true, texting has to be the overwhelming majority of phone related accidents.
SoRuffShoNuff
Member
How about we tackle the part about expanding public transportation before we start trying to further cripple the lower classes. See building infrastructure takes decades, hitting me with a tax can happen overnight.
Yup.
Unfortunately here in Los Angeles I see cops driving past drivers using cell phones and doing nothing.
Hell, I see cops on them often too.
This is the most egregious part to me. People who almost cause crashes while using their phone seem to be unfazed by what just happened.
"Oops, I almost drove that guy right off the highway and into the concrete barrier... Oh well, back to checking my facebook!"
Fuck these people.
Those laws are kind of a joke. People tend to obey them for a week or two then its business as usual.
Aaronrules380
Member
At the point where I think those people should just be forced to suck it up and use the phone if they want to actually contact someone while in a car. A bit of convenience is not worth peoples lives
I have a motorcycle that I haven't ridden in a year or so. I love ridding and its a ton of fun, but yes the amount of people driving with their phones in their hands scares the crap out of me. I can almost immediately tell when someone is driving while distracted.
They are already - this is a primary infraction so no other infraction is needed to pull someone over for it. Portland law enforcement (and those of the surrounding cities) are taking the law very seriously, and based on what they're finding they have to - they did a sting out in Aloha a week or two ago and snagged over 70 people in just a few hours.
Distracted driving laws with teeth (large fines, jail time, suspension of driving privileges) need to be the law of the land nationwide. I nearly get hit by someone texting away on their phone every few months, and I'm pretty sure that one of the two accidents that I got in last year was caused by a distracted driver (and an uninsured one, at that).
SDCowboy
Member
Yup. I can sent and receives tests through my truck.
There need to be significant fines ($1500) or none at all. They need to be advertised with monetary amounts so everyone knows the consequences.
The current slap on the hand fines in CA for instance results in people half heartedly hiding their phones (no one wants even a small ticket) below the dashline, where its incredibly hard to multitask using the phone and driving at the same time. If there were no fine those that choose to use their phone could hold them up in plain sight near the windshield where they have a better chance of seeing where theyre going. As much as I hate the idea its better than what we have now.
Ideally, larger fines would keep people from using their phones altogether.
The current slap on the hand fines in CA for instance results in people half heartedly hiding their phones (no one wants even a small ticket) below the dashline, where its incredibly hard to multitask using the phone and driving at the same time. If there were no fine those that choose to use their phone could hold them up in plain sight near the windshield where they have a better chance of seeing where theyre going. As much as I hate the idea its better than what we have now.
Ideally, larger fines would keep people from using their phones altogether.
Allforce
Member
The laws do nothing, anyone who drives daily can tell you that. If you pay attention within minutes of hitting the road you'll see at least 2-3 people straight up looking at or using their phone while driving. Every. Single. Time.
I saw 2 this morning, one lady driving by the bus stop staring at her phone where I'm standing with mine and a bunch of other kids, and another not even 20 minutes later when I was driving to the bank.
This is on surface roads in neighborhoods, drive on a freeway sometime and just try to count how many people you see using a smartphone while flying along at 70 MPH in say, a 20 minute time frame. You'll lose count.
I saw 2 this morning, one lady driving by the bus stop staring at her phone where I'm standing with mine and a bunch of other kids, and another not even 20 minutes later when I was driving to the bank.
This is on surface roads in neighborhoods, drive on a freeway sometime and just try to count how many people you see using a smartphone while flying along at 70 MPH in say, a 20 minute time frame. You'll lose count.
The Jazz Cabbage Master
Member
I am typically able to maintain composure in my car regardless of what's happening, but I swear to fucking God people on their cell phones make me want scream.
If you are actively engaging your cell phone while driving you are a selfish fuck. Driving demands 100% of your attention and if you are so god damn addicted to your phone that you can't give driving your utmost attention then kindly stay the hell off the road.
If you are actively engaging your cell phone while driving you are a selfish fuck. Driving demands 100% of your attention and if you are so god damn addicted to your phone that you can't give driving your utmost attention then kindly stay the hell off the road.
Rockandrollclown
lookwhatyou'vedone
Looking it up for Ohio, its not even considered a primary offense unless you are under 18. Secondary offense for adults, and the fine is only $150.
Earthbound64
Banned
No surprise. Even on GAF you get people who are like "Oh, it's alright as long as you do it at a red light / while you're stopped / when no one's around / when traffic is moving at a steady pace / when people aren't in the road / when I feel like it." People always seem to think it can't happen to them, and that they're perfect.
Earthbound64
Banned
Peotical Injection
Member
Fuck people that use their fucking phones when driving. Fuck your facebook, snapchat, instagram, text, all that shit can wait. Got rear ended almost two years ago by some asshat texting and driving.
While true, some state laws say that using the phone while stopped at a red light or stopped completely in traffic is ok. I cant remember which ones specifically but there are some out there. In fact I think Ohio is one of them, but I could be mistaken. Doesnt really affect me since I dont use the phone while driving unless its just hands-free talking. Not to sound like a shill but Apple Music made it even easier as I can now dictate to Siri exactly what music I wanna listen to without touching the phone. DNDWD is great, too.
100% truth.
Earthbound64
Banned
Part of the issue raised in the OP is that many state laws are woefully inadequate.
So saying "Some state laws say that [x] is alright" is simply part of the problem.
I honk at every moron I see on their phone. Within the last year, I've probably missed over 50 lights because some dumb dumb isn't paying attention. I also drive around with my daughter in the back seat and it scares the hell out of me that someone will just plow into us because they were texting or changing songs on their phone.
lunchtoast
Member
I always look around at a stoplight and see how many heads are looking down.
Omegasquash
Member
MA law in place, just recently:
Also worth noting that it applies when the car is on the road (as in, not parked) with the motor running. No stoplight activity. Personally, I think the second offense should activate insurance surcharges, and the third should be suspension of the license. That is, however, only my opinion. I see drivers looking at their phones in moving vehicles every day. Not cool.
Also worth noting that it applies when the car is on the road (as in, not parked) with the motor running. No stoplight activity. Personally, I think the second offense should activate insurance surcharges, and the third should be suspension of the license. That is, however, only my opinion. I see drivers looking at their phones in moving vehicles every day. Not cool.
elrechazado
Banned
More regressive fines and penalties that hurt the poor, yes!
Master Of Illusion
Member
I'll admit there are times I'll respond back to people at a red light, but definitely not while in motion (I have a friend who has Instagram to his face while driving 60mph in 35mph zones and it's FUCKING INFURIATING).
Now, where's the conversation about GPS? I will say I've been in some close calls because I was looking up and down at the screen again in fear I'd miss a turn.
Now, where's the conversation about GPS? I will say I've been in some close calls because I was looking up and down at the screen again in fear I'd miss a turn.
Jive Turkey
Unconfirmed Member
At least you got a "Whoopsie sorry for almost killing you!" In my experience the offender usually acts like I'm the asshole.
NYCmetsfan
Banned
and if I'm a passenger?
Phone use, like for calls and holding the phone up to your ear I can see (because its visable)
Texting and browsing seems harder
Because poor people should be exempt from safe driving laws? WTF?
Enter The 36 Chambers
Member
Laws do nothing to deter this. We have points on your license and fines and yet I still people looking at their stupid fucking phones on traffic everyday.
People are just shitty.
People are just shitty.
Maximus.
Member
It is effective, it is enforceable. Doesnt stop everyone, but deff deters. My area has laws that are strict on phone useage and police do check.
Ah, true, I missed that. And yeah I totally agree, its definitely part of the problem. I wish DNDWD was an opt-out feature that they told you about when setting up the phone. Its not perfect but I could see it helping. Make it hard to opt-out, too, like needing special reasoning or something. I dunno, maybe thats dumb, but we need some new ideas.
Just wait to text, folks! Its just simply not worth the risk.
Omegasquash
Member
It's like they do not even care. That social media feed takes precedent over road safety.
elrechazado
Banned
Yeah, that's exactly what I said