MA Cell Phone Restrictions - NOT!

[gregp]

This just in:
May 1, 2008 1:30 pm

BOSTON (AP) - A bill the House passed to limit cell phone use while driving may not make it to the governor's desk. Senate President Therese Murray said that there is little interest in the measure in the Senate. She added that the bill is not a high priority for her.

The House approved the bill by a 107-47 margin in January, but it needs approval from the Senate and Gov. Deval Patrick to become law. The bill would ban drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones or text messaging while driving. Motorists could use "hands free" technology, though 16- and 17-year-old drivers would be banned from using all electronic mobile devices.

Backers of the bill in the House say drivers distracted by cell phones are a danger on the road.

[capt1014]

Ya I was hoping this bill would go through!

Fuckin lazy ass politians!!!

[gregp]

Well, that was the reason I posted it here. I believe that many motorcyclists view cell phone use by cagers as a potentially dangerous liberty.

[Pittenger5]

Im on the fence with these issues, yes, I wish something could be done about people just chatting while driving, but being a delivery driver in boston more often than not i need to make a call to get directions, or find out where to meet people, and being IN boston there is often a lack of places to pull over and make a call safely and that sort of thing. Plus if it were actually enforced Id be terrified to see the people swerve across 4 lanes of traffic to "safely" be able to take a phone call.

[Rossy83]

Im on the fence with these issues, yes, I wish something could be done about people just chatting while driving, but being a delivery driver in boston more often than not i need to make a call to get directions, or find out where to meet people, and being IN boston there is often a lack of places to pull over and make a call safely and that sort of thing. Plus if it were actually enforced Id be terrified to see the people swerve across 4 lanes of traffic to "safely" be able to take a phone call.

Could get directions on a Bluetooth. I could see people pulling over to make calls a hazard too though. Driving in the city I could see the ban, but on bigger roads freeways and such that are limited access the only problem they seem to cause is driving slow. (for me)

[capt1014]

Well my concern is about me being on a bike and people in cars not paying attention. Gods know being in a car when someone is on the phone is bad enough.

Yes I have a cell and I use it very infrequently in my car but when I do I try to make sure I use my head set.

I am mostly concerned because my oldest son will get his permit on Monday. Well if he passes the test, I think it is a good idea to keep kids off of cell phones when driving, who appearantly can't drive well anyway, due to the rash of accidents that I know about through my kids that have either killed or mamed in someone in some way or the other.

Last thing I need is some F in teenager on a phone taking me out whether I'm on my bike or in my car. If I was in the car I'd probably loose it and beat the shit out of someone! (and I'm really not that violent)

[Pittenger5]

Apparently the studies of the fact that its not necessarily DIALING the phone that makes it dangerous, but TALKING on the phone that distracts drivers. Along with the study that if people have handsfree they feeling safer and tend to talk more. Add two and two together and it really doesnt solve a whole lot.

[gregp]

all i got from that is that the bill is not on one person's list of priorities...

That "one person" would be the Senate President, and she is indicating a lack of interest amongst the entire senate.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

We only made it driving like 80 years of Drivingwithout cellphones, Stuff still got delivered, people still got directions.

It will be fine

[Pittenger5]

We also made it 10000 years without easily accessed pornography on computers, doesnt mean things were better then.

[Karaya One]

This is already a law in CT, and every time I'm down there the cop is driving the cruiser talking on a cell phone.

Is the law only for the unwashed masses, and not law enforcement?

[Pittenger5]

Is the law only for the unwashed masses, and not law enforcement?

What law isnt? But they're trained so they can drive twice the speed limits anywhere without lights on.

[schleppy]

We also made it 10000 years without easily accessed pornography on computers, doesnt mean things were better then.

Best.point.ever.

[nilez]

This is already a law in CT, and every time I'm down there the cop is driving the cruiser talking on a cell phone.

Is the law only for the unwashed masses, and not law enforcement?

What about radios? Cops and truckers depend on their radios... if your argument about simply talking on the phone is what causes distraction, than talking on a radio should also apply... and yes, LEO's are given extra driving education, it's called EVOC. So, in theory, LEO's should be able to drive at a somewhat more skilled level than the average Joe Schmoe.

I agree that many people can't drive and talk on their phone at the same time... hell, I'm convinced the majority of the schmucks on the road can't even drive in the first place. I think legislators are going after the wrong regulations. Instead of tacking on all these different stipulations to driving, they should up the cost, the required amount of training hours in a classroom AND especially behind the wheel with an instructor should increase, and driving tests should be standardized (AND ACTUALLY MAKE EVERYONE TAKING THE TEST PERFORM EACH AND EVERY TASK).

I'm afraid of cages when I'm on the bike as it is. The standards for obtaining a driver's license need to be stricter and upheld. Teenagers (in particular) have forgotten that a driver's license is a privilege, not a right.

Passing legislation banning cell phone use won't do jack. People speed on a regular basis right? My .02.

[Pittenger5]

And can anyone truly say that if they DID pass this law they'd ride any differently on their bike than they do now? Of course not, the cagers would still be as dangerous as they are now, whether on the phone or just sitting there eating a big mac or smacking the kids around in the back seat or whatever.

[nilez]

And can anyone truly say that if they DID pass this law they'd ride any differently on their bike than they do now? Of course not, the cagers would still be as dangerous as they are now, whether on the phone or just sitting there eating a big mac or smacking the kids around in the back seat or whatever.

+1. Agreed.

[BCT748]

This just in:
May 1, 2008 1:30 pm

BOSTON (AP) - A bill the House passed to limit cell phone use while driving may not make it to the governor's desk. Senate President Therese Murray said that there is little interest in the measure in the Senate. She added that the bill is not a high priority for her.

The House approved the bill by a 107-47 margin in January, but it needs approval from the Senate and Gov. Deval Patrick to become law. The bill would ban drivers from talking on hand-held cell phones or text messaging while driving. Motorists could use "hands free" technology, though 16- and 17-year-old drivers would be banned from using all electronic mobile devices.

Backers of the bill in the House say drivers distracted by cell phones are a danger on the road.

I don't need to look at my phone to send a text message. My last semester of night school for plumbing was the same as the other 3 I already did so I text people the entire time. 125 hours of texting will teach you where each letter is and how many times you need to push the number for the right letter. Basically I paid over $600 to learn how to text blind.

[phishfood]

This is already a law in CT, and every time I'm down there the cop is driving the cruiser talking on a cell phone.

Is the law only for the unwashed masses, and not law enforcement?

I heard the mass bill had a provision that allows for law enforcement, etc, to use a cell while driving... so at least this law they thought of that.

[Karaya One]

smacking the kids around in the back seat or whatever.

Damn kids had it coming...

[black]

i'm typing my response right now..... on my blackberry driving into work.... i hope this doesnt become law.