Hang Up And Drive
March 31st, 2008 at 07:16am Brian Maier
I agree with Jan that we all need to slow down. I would also like to say that often, when I see someone driving erratically, they are holding a cell phone. Often, they’re talking, and often, they’re TEXTING. Many cities and municipalities have banned the use of hand held cell phones while driving. Earpiece/voice-activated units are normally acceptable under these ordinances, which allows persons who spend a lot of time in the car to conduct business. I would certainly support such an ordinance in the city of Rockford. It is already illegal for Illinois drivers under 19 and school bus drivers to use cell phones while driving. (Of course, this is because your 19th birthday is the clear demarcation point for an improved ability to pay attention while holding a cell phone and driving.) I would be interested to know how many teenagers have been ticketed by the Rockford Police Department pursuant to this law since it took effect on Jan. 1, 2008 (assuming they have the authority to do so). And I’d be interested to know the City Council’s opinion regarding a ban on hand held cell phone use while driving.
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3 Comments Add your own
1. Jan Herbert | March 31st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
But it’s not just cell phones, is it? I-Pods, GPS units, what else? Wouldn’t the rules need to be more comprehensive?
2. Brian Maier | March 31st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I understand what you’re saying, Jan. However, I think the primary problem (which leads to accidents) has to do with regular cell phone use while driving. I would be happy with an ordinance banning hand held cell phones only. You can get pretty much anywhere in the city of Rockford within twenty minutes or so. Can’t we let our calls go to voicemail and return the calls when we reach our destinations–for the safety of others and ourselves?
3. Dennis Wallace | May 25th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
The problem is you can’t write laws to prevent people from being dumbasses… You ban cell phone… then what’s next? No more drive though fast food? No more coffee cup… What about the distractions of the radio or CD Player… Oh yea we better ban conversations in the car too…
Sorry guys, the less laws the better. The idiots who do “whatever unsafe” will pay the price through higher car insurance… As far as protection for you and I…. The Police have the ability today to stop unsafe drivers without more “good intentioned (but Dumb) laws.
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