Newbury: Papa Chet, can you hear me telling them they're dumb?
Erin Newbury
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
Last week an old fancy lady in her Cadillac and fur coat pulled out in front of traffic on E 14 while typing away and putting on her seatbelt at the same time. As much as I give her credit for her ability to multi-task in high stress situations, she should know better then that.
If the texting bill to ban the act is passed, we will join 19 other states, including California (minus Maria Shriver) who have some sort of ban on cell phone use. Most of the bills that are being looked over feature a fine between $30-$100 for a first offense. One bill could apply reckless driving fines and jail time if the driving is bad enough.
Many of complaints seen in the Des Moines Register's always fascinating Two Cents Worth section say the government is taking this too far and trying to play big brother to boss us around even more. Decent argument there I suppose. Although I'd prefer having big brother watch over me then be in the ICU for a month. Just saying.
Regulation of these cell phone laws are also up for debate. While there is no way law enforcement can monitor individuals driving around the state, it's fairly easy to tell what that person is doing. Swerving around, constantly looking down and change of speed are clear signs of texting or speaking on the phone. If you are out driving and see these signs, get the heck out of the way. If someone wants to take themselves down, don't go down with them.
So next time you run out to start your car and your phone is in your hand, throw it in the backseat and leave it be for the duration of your drive from the dorm parking lot to the communication parking lot, so we can all be just a little bit safer for the rest of the year.
If the texting bill to ban the act is passed, we will join 19 other states, including California (minus Maria Shriver) who have some sort of ban on cell phone use. Most of the bills that are being looked over feature a fine between $30-$100 for a first offense. One bill could apply reckless driving fines and jail time if the driving is bad enough.
Many of complaints seen in the Des Moines Register's always fascinating Two Cents Worth section say the government is taking this too far and trying to play big brother to boss us around even more. Decent argument there I suppose. Although I'd prefer having big brother watch over me then be in the ICU for a month. Just saying.
Regulation of these cell phone laws are also up for debate. While there is no way law enforcement can monitor individuals driving around the state, it's fairly easy to tell what that person is doing. Swerving around, constantly looking down and change of speed are clear signs of texting or speaking on the phone. If you are out driving and see these signs, get the heck out of the way. If someone wants to take themselves down, don't go down with them.
So next time you run out to start your car and your phone is in your hand, throw it in the backseat and leave it be for the duration of your drive from the dorm parking lot to the communication parking lot, so we can all be just a little bit safer for the rest of the year.
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