Harsher Punishments For Using Cell Phone While Driving

You already know you shouldn't be talking on your cell phone while driving, but the DMV wants to make those bi-annual ticketing blitzes a little more scary. Starting Wednesday, drivers found guilty of driving while talking on a cell phone or texting will get two points on their driving records, as well as the $100 fine. DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner J. David Sampson said, "By strengthening the current law, our hope is that motorists will become even more aware of the potential consequences of their actions if they use a cell phone while driving."

The DMV says that driver distraction contributes to one in five crashes in the state, and in 2009 440,000 were injured in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver. Of course there is speculation that the texting bans might be making matters worse, but what else can you do, kindly ask people to pay attention to what they're doing when they're operating a multiple-ton piece of machinery?

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By Jaya Saxena in News on February 14, 2011 4:41 PM

Comments [rss]

Dubai Directory

I totally agree with it... cell phones calls and texting should be completely banned kz they are the major cause of horrible traffic accidents.

Guest

lets update this law so that when drivers are caught blabbing on cell phones behind the wheel they must eat the entire phone on the spot. mmmm...technology!

Woodendesigner

It should be more than two points. People need to realize that driving is not a right but an earned privilege that requires some major responsibility. There are way too many drivers out there that are letting good driving habits fail. I drive a lot and wish that I did not have to because of all of the self absorbed people behind the wheel of other cars. Too many close calls in my life because of people that are messing around on their phones.

matteus

They ought to ban texting on the sidewalks too, or put signs up to tell people it's not polite. It has the same effect on walking as driving, just to a less violent but equally annoying effect

yetanotherdamneduselessaccount

There already are points for people texting and using computer toys on the sidewalk . . . every time you "accidently" shoulder check someone who's not paying attention, sending their precious phone/computer flying, you get two points.

S.D.

And Remember, Boys and girls, stay on the Right!!

BKPhil

If the law could be revised to exempt me, I would strongly support it.

As it stands, however, it's an frontal assault on the cherished rights and liberties that our founding fathers died for.

S.D.

OK, I'll bite: This is sarcasm right?

BKPhil

I'm not even sure myself.

I'm convinced using a cell while driving is dangerous, but I do it all the time (only when I know it's safe, but we know how that goes). It's a good law that I don't like.

S.D.

Sadly, you can't legislate stupid.

Remember that law recently passed that say people have to get out of teh way of Emergency vehicles (Naturally, I can't find a link now...) or they risk getting a ticket?

Think about it: How do they enforce it?
The Cop responding to an emergency (say a shooting) stops and pulls over the idiot blocking him? Maybe takes 5 to 10 minutes to write a ticket?

I'd hope he'd answer the emergency as a priority.