7 Comments

Texters Watch Out, The Big Arm of the Law is Out to Get You

September 5, 2008 by in Random with 7 Comments

New York, in addition to NJ, are the first two states to ban text messaging while driving.

The New York State Senate today passed legislation that would prohibit drivers from sending text messages whiledriving. The bill (S.3195-C), sponsored by Senator Carl Marcellino (R, Syosset), amends previous legislation banning cell phone use while driving by prohibiting drivers from writing, sending or reading text messages on a mobile telephone or any other mobile device.

“Text messaging is the ultimate distraction, taking any and all focus and attention off the road. Most of the time you’re using two thumbs, plus you’re looking at the screen,” said Senator Marcellino. “And if you’re driving, that fraction of a second that you take your eye off the road can be the difference between an accident or not.”

“It is vitally important that drivers remain focused and attentive while they are behind the wheel,” said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. “This bill will force drivers to think twice before reaching for their cell phones and give law enforcement officials across our state the tools necessary to keep our roads that much safer.” [...]

The penalty for driving while texting would be a $100 fine, the same as the original cell phone ban. The original cell phone language did not cover texting because the language of the bill was specific to making a voice call.via]

Now, is this setting a slippery slope that as new technologies emerge states if not federal governments will pass bans. Is texting really to blame here? I think there are far more distractions in a car then a mobile phone? How about GPS systems? Radios? People putting on makeup or eating while driving? I say they ban screaming children, hey they are a massive distraction too.

I feel if a law is to be passed it should be phrased that all times drivers must have both hands on a vehicles steering wheel while the vehicle is in operation. With language like this it future proofs any emerging technology while covering all existing distractions that may or may not be technical.


  • grace healy

    I believe Washington State has also prohibited texting while driving, but there have been newspaper reports that it is difficult to enforce.

  • chuck

    You can’t keep both hands on the steering wheel dude. Stick shift? Turn signal? Duh.

  • Kevin

    I’ve always said these laws for each technology are silly. Not to mention that a person who is driving impaired (for whatever reason) can be pulled over and issued a ticket for whatever behavior made it obvious they were distracted. Following to closely, crossing a solid, failure to signal, rolling stops ect.

    These laws are a waste in a lot of ways.

  • SMASH

    its been banned here in chicago for about a year now, it started off with just talking onthe phone while driving then they made it no use of phones while driving

    i got a ticket for using the GPS on my blackberry.. lamee

  • http://justinflood.com Justin

    I agree that a law should be passed that you should just simply have to keep your hands on the wheel, but of course no one would ever write it!

    The lawmakers love to make these tech-specific bills because they can keep writing the same thing over and over. If they passed one law that just took care of everything, they wouldn’t be able to write a cute little token law for some other tech in the future that would get them the votes of all the PTA moms out there.

  • Suze

    These laws were made for our “safety” but how constitutional are they? I, personally, am a fantasic multi-tasker (I’m always texting while driving), but it obviously isn’t exactly safe. People need to use common sense. The possibility of other items being MORE of a distraction doesn’t discount the fact that texting is a major distraction. Suggesting that a law to have drivers keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times is childish and ridiculous. You don’t even have to keep both hands on the wheel during your driving test (to get your license)… just make sure you don’t ever take both hands OFF at the same time ; -P

  • chad

    myself being guilty of this exact thing … texting while driving… completely support this law lol.

    I’ve forced myself to refrain from cell phone use while unless it can be done with a voice command or I’m at a stop light.

    ahem now.

    @Justin and Dan
    Hands on the steering wheel at all times…. what good is a law if you can’t enforce it?… Look at the mockery that is Jay walking… however Jay walking isn’t nearly as dangerous as this… I say if you’re going to do anything about a problem such as this don’t fine the driver… mandate blue tooth in all vehicles by 2010… remember kids… air bags and seat belts used to be “options” as well ;).

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