Another Inept California Law
Last June, the state of California enacted a law prohibiting drivers from using a cell phone while driving unless equipped with hands-free device. That worked so good, that the observed non-compliance rate, actually increased by about 50 percent (myself and the better half, being the observers).
I hope, for the safety of other drivers that people will obey this new law. My confidence that they will do so, however, is close to zero.
This new law will work as well as the California anti-gun laws. Only the law abiding are going to obey the law. Others - well this IS California . . .
4 Responses to “Another Inept California Law”
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Glenn B on 01 Jan 2009 at 0931 #
Yes only the law abiding will obey the law, and that would be pretty good for a start. This law is EXACTLY like drunk driving laws in intent though probably not in enforcement and penalties. Many will disobey each law, but with strict enforcement and high penalties, many will come to the conclusion that it is better to obey than break the law - either one. I doubt there will be strict enforcement of this law combined with high enough penalty to make much of a difference. There were and continue to be high penalties for driving while under the influence. Where there is also strict enforcement, the drunk driving rates have fallen off markedly from what they once had been, or at least deaths due to accidents caused by drunks have fallen. You often quite appropriately find fault with the law and law makers, but on this one, I truly think you missed the boat and landed in the drink. If done correctly a law making it illegal to text while driving would be quite beneficial, for example to the little kid who just crossed the road in front of you chasing his puppy. I actually believe it would be best to ban cell phone use altogether while driving, even voice activated phones that are completely hands free.
Happy New Year,
Glenn B
Minstrel on 01 Jan 2009 at 1325 #
My point was not to complain about this law. I thought I was pointing out the lack of compliance and enforcement that will likely follow.
I cannot disagree that ANY distraction from the full-time operation of a vehicle, puts not only the driver and passengers in peril, but the public at large.
Using cell phones while driving has been a pet peeve of mine for years. One favorite bumper sticker can be seen here.
Glenn B on 02 Jan 2009 at 0427 #
my blunder
Linoge on 06 Jan 2009 at 2046 #
While I am all for people not using their cell phones in their vehicles, this law is nothing more than another instance of one unenforceable law weakening all the others by association. People will not care. Cops will not care. And they will just keep going on doing what they were doing… Only now the people are breaking the law, and probably not caring about that either. And then the apathy just grows…