City of Troy's "Distracted Drving" law goes into effect!

[pleasurekatzen]

"Driving through Troy today? Let your cell phone go to voicemail, don't text, apply mascara or eat anything requiring both hands -- or you may get stopped by police.

Troy's new Driving While Distracted ordinance, effective today, is even stricter than the state law banning texting while driving that took effect July 1.

A driver caught texting, talking on or listening to a cell phone, eating with both hands, engaging in personal hygiene, or otherwise being distracted will receive a warning and educational materials about the ordinance from Troy officers. After Oct. 1, errant drivers will be slapped with a fine from $75 to $200, depending on the offense."

Full Article Here

Edited August 1, 2010 by pleasurekatzen

[Iris]

Luckily, I have have mad one-handed eating skills

(it's all in the digits!)

[creatureofthenyte]

We have similar laws out here; as long as there are no cops around, most people don't care and do it anyway.

[Riku Namako]

Damn. Thats good to know, considering I'm in troy most of the week these days....that really sucks though.

[Rev.Reverence]

THANK G*D for wise decision makers......now, IF that, were to become STATE LAW...I'ld ACTUALLY be safer...(I'm rarely in Troy)...

...but, I walk all over...

[creatureofthenyte]

THANK G*D for wise decision makers......now, IF that, were to become STATE LAW...I'ld ACTUALLY be safer...(I'm rarely in Troy)...

...but, I walk all over...

That's the problem Rev.

The law is only good, IF it's enforced. And even still, a lot of people will continue to drive distracted, because they don't care, and or they think they "can handle it".

It's been said that a distracted driver's reaction time is slower then that of a drunk driver.

Since you say you walk everywhere, it may be good to keep a sharp eye out for distracted drivers around you, so you don't end up getting hit by one .

[Rev.Reverence]

That's the problem Rev.

The law is only good, IF it's enforced. And even still, a lot of people will continue to drive distracted, because they don't care, and or they think they "can handle it".

It's been said that a distracted driver's reaction time is slower then that of a drunk driver.

Since you say you walk everywhere, it may be good to keep a sharp eye out for distracted drivers around you, so you don't end up getting hit by one .

Oh..I DO...trust...I'm HERE, right?

..I'ld like a nifty camera that dates photos, & I'ld just sit around turnin' in peoples...

...how about cutting off pedestrians who SHOULD LEGALLY have the right to walk, oh yeah...these idiots would have to KNOW that was a law...

<rant on hold>

[phee]

You know, when I am trying to text, change the CD/IPOD, eat my fast food, look at my GPS, yell at the kids, read the billboards, check my speed, check my engine temp, check my mirrors, and make sure I am not trying to injure/kill a worker... Frankly the steering wheel is in the way... driving is distracting me from everything else I need to to while... um... driving.

[Rev.Reverence]

You know, when I am trying to text, change the CD/IPOD, eat my fast food, look at my GPS, yell at the kids, read the billboards, check my speed, check my engine temp, check my mirrors, and make sure I am not trying to injure/kill a worker... Frankly the steering wheel is in the way... driving is distracting me from everything else I need to to while... um... driving.

Oi Vey!~

[torn asunder]

until they take radios/cd players/gps units, etc. out of vehicles, meaning, make it illegal for them to either be installed, or perhaps make them physically inoperable while the car is in gear, i'm going to think this "distracted driving" law is fucking stupid...

[cptdeath]

yea we don't realy have trafic law enforcement in FL. i mean it happens but it's unlikley. they usually only show up at real big accidents. no body uses turn signals, nobody stops for emergency vehicles. you would have to shoot at somebody to get pulled over, an even then you could probably tell the FL cop it was an accident and he'll let you go. It's hard to get used to. if it snowed one day here it would total 1 in 4 drivers as long as it kept snowing. When it rains it causes 1 out 25 to at least be in an accident here. There are people so stupid they walk out into trafic and get hit by a car like once or twice a month. they can't seem to figure out not to do it again and just star jogging with their head back and wake up in the hospital. lol i seen it.

[Rev.Reverence]

until they take radios/cd players/gps units, etc. out of vehicles, meaning, make it illegal for them to either be installed, or perhaps make them physically inoperable while the car is in gear, i'm going to think this "distracted driving" law is fucking stupid...

Mythbusters showed their evidence, that talking on the phone, is more dangerous than being drunk.

[torn asunder]

Mythbusters showed their evidence, that talking on the phone, is more dangerous than being drunk.

i know, but in my opinion it's a faulty premise. if driving gets hectic, people can just set the phone down or hang up, there's no reason they have to continue talking, which is something they required for the mythbusters testing.

[StormKnight (1)]

i know, but in my opinion it's a faulty premise. if driving gets hectic, people can just set the phone down or hang up, there's no reason they have to continue talking, which is something they required for the mythbusters testing.

Unfortunately, I have had too many close calls that I saw the driver still yapping away on the phone, and give me the bird because it was *my* fault *they* were running to the left of center. Reason has nothing to do with it. Stupidity does. And stupidity dictates that the people will keep talking away as if there was no care in the world, so the mythbusters actually simulated what is seen in normal people. They don't hang up.

[creatureofthenyte]

The thing that is really sad, is that there are so many people in this country, that choose to be sooo ignorant to this.

They have to learn from experience; either from getting stopped by the cops or by hurting or killing themselves or someone else, by driving distracted.

Over here, if you get caught the first time, it's a 150 dollar fine.

The second time is 250 dollars.

If you get caught texting and driving, its a 500 dollar fine.

But people over here, just don't give a damn.

They pay the fines without even blinking an eye.

The law should carry a penalty of jail time after the First offense.

[torn asunder]

...And stupidity dictates that the people will keep talking away as if there was no care in the world, so the mythbusters actually simulated what is seen in normal people. They don't hang up.

and you can't legislate people un-stupid, so again, what's the diff. between phones, radios/cds/mp3s, gps, mcdonalds, etc.

you will never, ever, legislate distracted driving out of existence, and to me, to highlight one reason while ignoring so many others is a waste of time. remember, they had the same complaint about radios being in cars when they were first introduced.

i do agree that texting should be illegal, because it requires extended focus on the phone screen, and complex mental function to write. talking on the phone? no different to me than talking to a passenger in the back seat.

anyway, i'm used to being disagreed with on this topic!

[Hellion]

The only time I see distracted driving being a problem

people who do their makeup while driving

eating a bowl of cereal while driving

watching tv while driving

reading the newspaper while driving

that is nuts IMO

Now don't forget the pedestrian who is not paying attention

while walking out from between parked cars,(vans trucks) and

who refuses to use the cross walk,sometimes they are looking up at the sky

while talking in the phone,but they expect drivers to be able to see through

objects like Superman(sarcasm)

there are many other things that are more of a distraction to

drivers than what I listed.

One major distraction for me, is looking out for stupid people

who should not been allowed a drivers license,or be allowed to walk around

[Reaper]

Can't count how many people pulled out in front of me or nearly side swiped me while distracted in their vehicle while driving my semi.

[Reaper]

and you can't legislate people un-stupid, so again, what's the diff. between phones, radios/cds/mp3s, gps, mcdonalds, etc.

you will never, ever, legislate distracted driving out of existence, and to me, to highlight one reason while ignoring so many others is a waste of time. remember, they had the same complaint about radios being in cars when they were first introduced.

i do agree that texting should be illegal, because it requires extended focus on the phone screen, and complex mental function to write. talking on the phone? no different to me than talking to a passenger in the back seat.

anyway, i'm used to being disagreed with on this topic!

I actually agree with you on this though. I could be on the phone even with my bluetooth on and be able to manage the driving part, but I couldn't tell you what signs said on the side of the road if you asked me after I passed them. And talking to someone next to you or in the backseat is really no different than on the phone because you have to concentrate on the subjects being spoken of. Often I will ask someone again what they said because I tend to put more attention to the road than I do the convo.