New laws for VA and MD go into effect today (7/1)

[Slide Panda]

Though there's a lot more on this list - there's new laws on the books regard texting while driving in VA and MD.  I'm conflicted on this... While I think it's good that something might curb the tide of stupid when it comes to this behavior, I'm also a bit sad that we actually have to write up laws like this.  There's already laws on the books (distracted driving) that texting while driving falls under - so this granulation of the law starts getting a bit nannyish - since people should F'ing know better by now that texting while driving is dangerous, but need a special law to tell them not to do it. 

Ok, off my stump for now... and here's part of the Wash Post article on the new law

"By Anita Kumar and Lisa Rein

Washington Post Staff Writers

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Virginia drivers will face new restrictions today, when hundreds of laws take effect, including a ban on sending or reading text messages and emails.

A dozen states and the District ban motorists from texting while they drive. Virginia's ban begins today, and Maryland's takes effect Oct. 1.

"It is such a dangerous practice that there ought to be a message: no way, no how, no time," AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson said. "The bottom line is it's going to be illegal in every jurisdiction in the Washington metro area in a fairly short period of time. You shouldn't be doing it anyway, but now the message is that you might get a traffic fine as well."

In Virginia, drivers can be cited only after being stopped by police for another reason, such as running a red light. It carries a $20 fine for the first offense and a $50 penalty for subsequent violations. In Maryland, drivers will face a fine of as much as $500 if caught writing, sending or reading a text message while operating a vehicle...

[zooom]

so don't use your cell phone as a PDA to read directions or as a GPS/NAV unit either just to keep from getting ticketed!

and while I agree that is it simply ridiculous that we have to legislate against specific stupid behavoirs when we have much more wide open intepretable laws that can blanket the situation, now there is no excuse for the stupidity.

[Slide Panda]

so don't use your cell phone as a PDA to read directions or as a GPS/NAV unit either just to keep from getting ticketed!

and while I agree that is it simply ridiculous that we have to legislate against specific stupid behavoirs when we have much more wide open intepretable laws that can blanket the situation, now there is no excuse for the stupidity.

Still on my stump... but 'distracted' is a pretty clear concept to me.  When playing with a phone occupies more of you attention than controlling the 3000 pounds of metal barreling down a road, you are distracted.  Oh well, it's a moot point now, as the legislation's on the books and I hope it'll have some effect on the asshettery we see every day here.

[Nekkid Tim]

Still on my stump... but 'distracted' is a pretty clear concept to me.  When playing with a phone occupies more of you attention than controlling the 3000 pounds of metal barreling down a road, you are distracted.  Oh well, it's a moot point now, as the legislation's on the books and I hope it'll have some effect on the asshettery we see every day here.

While I understand the sentiment, I believe you will find your hope dashed.  Regardless of what laws have been added in each of my 35 years of driving in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, each year the amount of asshattery has risen.

Personally, I simply drive and ride as though each of the asshats are doing their level best to kill me, and react and respond accordingly.

[Slide Panda]

Oh I know this is a case of make it idiot proof and the world will make a better idiot - but a boy can dream...

I find it interesting the difference in the VA and MD laws though.  Va, you can only get a $20 ticket if you get pulled over for something else - texting alone isn't enough.  But in MD, they can pull you over for it and its a fine up to $500. 

[Statler]

I hate texing and driving...

having said that some friends and I have done lots of work getting ready for this and if you get pulled in MD for this I have a firm ready for helping you.   PM me if it comes up in MD.,

(that holds true for stupid things like dui and speeding too btw).

not me...but a good friend who is the person I would use.

Chris

[rgramjet]

To add to your new laws list.
Starting today in Montgomery County, MD, all trailers including jet-ski, motorcycle, boat, utility etc are not allowed to park overnight on public streets.  Also commercial vehicles with a detached cab are barred from parking overnight on said streets. 

All in the name of quality of life?  And children being endangered by the roadside obstructions.....

[RavnMonster]

Though there's a lot more on this list - there's new laws on the books regard texting while driving in VA and MD.  I'm conflicted on this... While I think it's good that something might curb the tide of stupid when it comes to this behavior, I'm also a bit sad that we actually have to write up laws like this.  There's already laws on the books (distracted driving) that texting while driving falls under - so this granulation of the law starts getting a bit nannyish - since people should F'ing know better by now that texting while driving is dangerous, but need a special law to tell them not to do it. 

Ok, off my stump for now... and here's part of the Wash Post article on the new law

"By Anita Kumar and Lisa Rein

Washington Post Staff Writers

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Virginia drivers will face new restrictions today, when hundreds of laws take effect, including a ban on sending or reading text messages and emails.

A dozen states and the District ban motorists from texting while they drive. Virginia's ban begins today, and Maryland's takes effect Oct. 1.

"It is such a dangerous practice that there ought to be a message: no way, no how, no time," AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson said. "The bottom line is it's going to be illegal in every jurisdiction in the Washington metro area in a fairly short period of time. You shouldn't be doing it anyway, but now the message is that you might get a traffic fine as well."

In Virginia, drivers can be cited only after being stopped by police for another reason, such as running a red light. It carries a $20 fine for the first offense and a $50 penalty for subsequent violations. In Maryland, drivers will face a fine of as much as $500 if caught writing, sending or reading a text message while operating a vehicle...

I just have no idea how they are going to enforce this law.  How are they going to prove you were txting.  If you lock your phone when you get pulled over they cant check it. In order to unlock it they will have to get a court order to search the phone (warrant) and then only come up with proof if you actually sent the message.

are we really going to spend our tax dollars on this?