New State Law: Don't Talk & Drive
It's now illegal to talk on a cell phone and drive at the same time in Washington.
I should be surprised that this law passed, after all, in a normal common-sense world, it wouldn't have, but since it isn't, it did.
Now don't get me wrong, I understand the idea behind it, banning cell phone useage in the car means you're less distracted and are therefore more alert to hazzards of the road which equals fewer accidents right? Sure, maybe. And I'll grant you this; if talking on the phone while driving was the only common distraction a person can have behind the wheel of a car, the law might make some sense.
But let's be realistic shall we? You know that's bullshit. I mean, when is the last time you were distracted in your car? Chances are it was the last time you drove. And what was it that distracted you? Was it the phone? Or were you messing with your radio, or iPod?. Were you finishing your make-up in the small visor mirror?, or maybe just trying to settle down the kids. Were you sipping on the cappuccino you just picked up, or working on devouring that Big Mac? Maybe you were lighting another cigarette, or trying to find something in your purse, or looking for the sunglasses that have fallen between the seats..
There's a million things that distract us in our cars every day. Banning one of them isn't going to make a difference. Can't we just think this stuff through before putting more useless laws on the books? Especially when you consider that there already is a law on the books that covers all of this. It's called "Negligent Driving - Second Degree".
That prettymuch covers it, don't'cha think? Look, people are all too often distracted while driving. There's no question about it. But merely banning cell phone useage isn't the way to lower the accident ratio. The only effect this law will have is to make people think they are safer. It's the post 9-11 mindset. Unless you check everything going on the plane, you're not really any safer. You only think you are.
I commend the effort to try and reduce accidents, I really do, and i'm not advocating a law that says you must keep your hands at 2 and 10 and not take them off until you reach your destination either. But I do want a little common sense from lawmakers. I just want SOMEONE to consider the actual effect of a law before blindly passing it just because it seems like a good idea on it's surface. Don't we already have enough useless and/or redundant laws in the books?
I should be surprised that this law passed, after all, in a normal common-sense world, it wouldn't have, but since it isn't, it did.
Now don't get me wrong, I understand the idea behind it, banning cell phone useage in the car means you're less distracted and are therefore more alert to hazzards of the road which equals fewer accidents right? Sure, maybe. And I'll grant you this; if talking on the phone while driving was the only common distraction a person can have behind the wheel of a car, the law might make some sense.
But let's be realistic shall we? You know that's bullshit. I mean, when is the last time you were distracted in your car? Chances are it was the last time you drove. And what was it that distracted you? Was it the phone? Or were you messing with your radio, or iPod?. Were you finishing your make-up in the small visor mirror?, or maybe just trying to settle down the kids. Were you sipping on the cappuccino you just picked up, or working on devouring that Big Mac? Maybe you were lighting another cigarette, or trying to find something in your purse, or looking for the sunglasses that have fallen between the seats..
There's a million things that distract us in our cars every day. Banning one of them isn't going to make a difference. Can't we just think this stuff through before putting more useless laws on the books? Especially when you consider that there already is a law on the books that covers all of this. It's called "Negligent Driving - Second Degree".
(1)(a) A person is guilty of negligent driving in the second degree if, under circumstances not constituting negligent driving in the first degree (ie: drunk driving), he or she operates a motor vehicle in a manner that is both negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property.
That prettymuch covers it, don't'cha think? Look, people are all too often distracted while driving. There's no question about it. But merely banning cell phone useage isn't the way to lower the accident ratio. The only effect this law will have is to make people think they are safer. It's the post 9-11 mindset. Unless you check everything going on the plane, you're not really any safer. You only think you are.
I commend the effort to try and reduce accidents, I really do, and i'm not advocating a law that says you must keep your hands at 2 and 10 and not take them off until you reach your destination either. But I do want a little common sense from lawmakers. I just want SOMEONE to consider the actual effect of a law before blindly passing it just because it seems like a good idea on it's surface. Don't we already have enough useless and/or redundant laws in the books?
posted by Michelle at
Friday, May 11, 2007
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