LAist: It's Official: Texting While Driving = Illegal

stara

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:18:40 -0800

@acee "I wonder if browsing the web on your phone falls into this new law...?" @purp "What about checking your e-mail on your blackberry while driving?" @Marc22386 "What about checking Google Maps on my iPhone while driving?" How's about all you retard fucks JUST DRIVE?! Ask your mommy what she did in the 70's/80's when she had to drive 2 hours to get somewhere. Why MUST you browse the web? Can it not wait until you get to your job/home? Do you really need to know if #3 on your top 8 has posted another survey? Same thing with your e-mail. What were you doing a few years ago when it wasn't capable? This cell phone dependency is sickening And you have got to be kidding me with Google maps. Before you leave your house, go online and print out directions! I am in complete awe that people all of a sudden act crippled if they can't text/dial/browse, etc...Turn on the radio and sing to yourself for 45 minutes or maybe stop ignoring the passenger in your car and have a conversation with a live human being

polaroidgirl

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:18:53 -0800

We def now need laws for: eating while driving masturbating while driving smoking while driving reading while driving applying make up while driving and, perhaps, being an effing moron while driving. The point I was making earlier is that all of this should fall under the category of reckless driving. I do agree that this is helpful IF you happen to be the victim of someone texting (if you survive, that is). Also, if I am a good enough multi tasker than I won't get pulled over, right? Because I won't be swerving or drawing attention to myself and no one will know I'm actually solving a Rubik's cube with my clutch foot.

BingosDingo

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:11:15 -0800

Would making a nasal exploratory expedition be considered distracted driving?

Colfax

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:53:21 -0800

good thing I only masturbate while driving.

marc22386

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:25:22 -0800

What about checking Google Maps on my iPhone while driving?

jrb

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:19:17 -0800

"You might consider yourself a better multi-tasker than myself, but how can we truly prove that in a court of law?" Behind the wheel of a car is not the place to test one's multi-tasking skills. A driver should concentrate on DRIVING. I agree with polaroidgirl. One law is enough. If they want to contest the ticket they need to prove they weren't driving while distracted.

benitofool

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:10:02 -0800

Ok, texting illegalized - great. But say I'm trying to... drill a hole into my new bowling ball while driving, is there any law against that????

Purp

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:04:11 -0800

What about checking your e-mail on your blackberry while driving?

Bernie Spear

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:54:44 -0800

So true, i have seen many more people lately talking on their cells. The bluetooth things suck and don't connect well. But yeah, how are they going to tell that you are texting? That being said, texting IS the most dangerous thing you can do while driving.

phdiaz

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:14:51 -0800

Yesterday I was driving in east Pasadena and saw a car unable to stay in their lane. When I caught up to it at red light - I saw the girl (20s) holding/smoking a cig with her left hand - while holding/talking on her cell with the right. Where's the "no driving with your knees" law?

qwerty

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:31:52 -0800

This is beyond dumb. If I got pulled over for "texting," I'd just say that I was dialing a number to call via my bluetooth. And then what? Are they gonna demand to see my call log? Utter fucking stupidity.

novas

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:43:06 -0800

be sure you don't try and change the radio station yourself while driving! that option is next to do! :P

cravethemind

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:03:00 -0800

The inital base fine for both the cell phone and texting offenses are $20. But like Zach mentioned, after the fees and court costs are added on, it ends up costing you between 3-5 times as much.

GarySe7en

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:09:15 -0800

This law will not be enforced, it's mostly a joke. What it will be good for is after you are hit by a texting person, if it is found that they were texting they will have less of a chance of getting off the hook. Unless you are cyclist, than they will probably still throw it out and say the cyclist shouldn't have run into the car.

Sparkylulu

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:49:10 -0800

Except that I have been noticing an uptick in hand held cell phone usage over the past few weeks. Almost daring police to write them up or completely oblivious. I would love to know if the cops are going to just let it go by the wayside or actually enforce this law. Especially since motorcyclists like myself were breathing a little easier for a few weeks there.

kino

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:12:48 -0800

tell me how you enforce this.

acee

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:02:31 -0800

I wonder if browsing the web on your phone falls into this new law...?

Emoney

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:55:08 -0800

'...distracted to the point of being dangerous...' is basically not defined in any way. There would be so many lawsuits over what is considered distracted enough for one person, may not be for the other. You might consider yourself a better multi-tasker than myself, but how can we truly prove that in a court of law?

Zach Behrens

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:33:04 -0800

$20 is the fine. Everything adding up to $96 are court fees, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. So a $76 fine will be much more expensive than that after all is said and done depending if you fight it or not, etc.

polaroidgirl

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:29:47 -0800

Argh. I said this when the cell phone law went into effect but I'll say it again. There should NOT be a bunch of laws for all the things you can't do while driving. There should be 1 law that says if you are distracted to the point of being dangerous you are breaking the law. Anybody stupid enough to text while driving deserves what they get (although the person the slam into doesn't...).

msmerymac

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:25:28 -0800

Wait, it only costs $20 if you get pulled over for talking on a cell? In other states they charge $300+! Someone let the governor know how to solve the budget crisis...

Andy Sternberg

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:23:06 -0800

The only person I know who got nailed on the cellphone/driving charge got hit for $96 -- first time charge -- when all was said and done. $20? Jackson, Schmackson.